ISLAMABAD: Pakistan applauded the European Union’s decision to support the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) reconstruction plan for Gaza at the United Nations on Tuesday, calling such multilateral cooperation “critical” at a difficult time in international politics.
Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Munir Akram, made the remarks as he welcomed the EU’s engagement with the UN, from its continued support for the world body’s annual budget to its sustained commitment to peacekeeping operations and peace-building activities.
Arab leaders unanimously rejected US President Donald Trump’s plan to permanently uproot more than 2 million Palestinians from Gaza and turn the region into an international beach resort earlier this month. Instead, they backed an Egyptian-led reconstruction initiative worth $53 billion, which was later upheld by the OIC in a special session held in Jeddah.
“In a statement in the Security Council meeting on the EU’s engagement with the UN today, Ambassador Munir Akram, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative, lauded the EU for its humanitarian support to the suffering people of Gaza and the West Bank, as well as its support to UNRWA [United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees],” said an official statement circulated after the meeting.
“He said that Pakistan also welcomes the EU’s support to the Arab and now the OIC plan for reconstruction of Gaza and peace in Palestine based on the Two-State solution.”
The Pakistani diplomat said his country wanted all conflicts, including the war in Ukraine, to be resolved in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter, which he said must be applied universally and consistently.
“At a time when international development cooperation is under immense stress, the EU’s sustained support, including to UN agencies, funds and programs, will be critical,” Akram was quoted as saying in the statement.
He also highlighted Pakistan’s relations with the EU, describing them as “robust, comprehensive and wide-ranging.” The EU, as a unit, remains Pakistan’s largest trade and investment partner, he noted.
“The GSP [Generalized Scheme of Preferences] Plus has played an important role in the growth of Pakistan-EU trade and has served as a win-win model for economic cooperation,” he said, referring to the preferential trade arrangement that has boosted Pakistan’s exports to Europe.
Akram also welcomed EU investments under the EU’s Global Gateway Strategy in renewable energy, digital infrastructure, education, water and sanitation and disaster management, and expressed hope for further opportunities through the Horizon Europe Program.
“We must all together reaffirm our commitment to international law, equality and a global order underpinned by the UN Charter to promote durable peace, sustainable development and inclusive growth,” the Pakistani envoy said.