The President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, today endorsed Pakistan’s peace efforts concerning the escalating Middle East crisis, reaffirming the European Union”s support for all diplomatic initiatives aimed at restoring regional stability.
The endorsement came during a telephone conversation with Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, where the two dignitaries held a warm and cordial discussion on the ongoing hostilities and the broader spectrum of Pakistan-EU relations.
Both leaders expressed profound concern over the conflict in Iran and the Gulf countries, acknowledging its significant impact on the global economy. They mutually stressed the critical need to resolve the crisis through dialogue and diplomacy.
During the call, the Prime Minister updated the EU Council President on the latest developments in Pakistan’s mediation initiatives intended to de-escalate the current tensions in the region.
Shifting to bilateral matters, Prime Minister Sharif highlighted the high significance Pakistan attaches to its relationship with the EU and recalled that his scheduled visit to Brussels had been postponed last month.
The Prime Minister also underscored the importance of the GSP Plus trade scheme and noted that he looks forward to inaugurating the first-ever Pakistan-EU Business Forum in Islamabad next month.
In his concluding remarks, Mr. Sharif conveyed his good wishes for Ms. Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission.
President Costa reciprocated the sentiment, stating that he looks forward to welcoming the Prime Minister to Brussels on mutually convenient dates in the future.