Pakistan, Austria Agree to Further Strengthen Trade and Economic Ties in New York
New York: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar and his Austrian counterpart have agreed to further expand bilateral trade, economic and diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Austria during a high-level meeting in New York.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, where Ishaq Dar met Austria’s Minister for European and International Affairs, Beate Meinl-Reisinger.
According to the Foreign Office spokesperson, both leaders expressed satisfaction with the positive trajectory of Pakistan-Austria bilateral relations and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in various fields, including trade, investment, economic relations, education and people-to-people contacts.
The two foreign ministers also discussed regional and international developments, particularly the current situation in the Middle East. They stressed that dialogue was essential for resolving conflicts and promoting regional peace and stability.
Ishaq Dar emphasized the importance of adhering to the United Nations Charter and international law in efforts to resolve conflicts. He said complex global challenges could only be addressed through dialogue, sustained diplomacy and peaceful means.
The Austrian foreign minister appreciated Pakistan’s positive and constructive role in promoting peace and stability in the region and underscored the importance of maintaining diplomatic engagement to address global challenges.
During the meeting, Ishaq Dar also highlighted the significance of the “Islamabad Understanding”, calling for all relevant parties to ensure its full implementation in its true spirit.
The two sides agreed to maintain close communication and consultations on matters of mutual interest in the future.
Pakistan and Austria have maintained longstanding friendly diplomatic relations. Austria, an important European Union member, is also a partner for Pakistan in areas including trade, technology transfer and higher education.
In recent years, the two countries have also sought to expand cooperation in areas such as energy, renewable energy and climate change.
The meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly provided an opportunity for the two countries to discuss bilateral cooperation as well as regional and international developments.
