ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s deputy prime minister and foreign minister, Ishaq Dar, and Egyptian FM Dr. Badr Abdelatty on Monday held a meeting in New York, where they agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in defense, trade and other key sectors, the Pakistani foreign ministry said.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of a high-level United Nations (UN) summit on Palestine, which is being co-chaired by Saudi Arabia and France on July 28-29.
Appreciating the continued collaboration at multilateral fora, FM Abdelatty congratulated Pakistan on assuming the Presidency of the UN Security Council for the month of July.
“The two leaders emphasized the importance of enhancing broad-based cooperation across various sectors, including medical, minerals, defense, trade, and investment,” the Pakistan foreign ministry said.
“They agreed on the need to strengthen connectivity between Pakistan and Egypt to promote economic integration and facilitate greater trade. Both sides also agreed to undertake high-level exchanges in the near future.”
Pakistan and Egypt have cordial ties and both countries have resolved in recent years to facilitate businessmen with visas, exchange trade-related information and promote private-sector contacts.
During Monday’s meeting, the two foreign ministers reiterated their unwavering support for the Palestinian people and their just cause, according to the Pakistani foreign ministry.
“The two ministers underscored the urgent need for unimpaired humanitarian access, an immediate cessation of Israeli hostilities, and expressed hope for a meaningful and constructive outcome of the International Conference on the Two-State Solution,” it added.
The UN conference is being held at a time of worsening humanitarian conditions in Gaza and France’s historic decision to formally recognize Palestine as a state.
The summit takes place a day after Israel declared a “tactical pause” in fighting in parts of Gaza, where more than 57,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 2023, saying it would allow the UN and aid agencies to open secure land routes to tackle a deepening hunger crisis.
Analysts say France’s move could tip the balance internationally. Already, 147 of 193 UN member states — nearly 75 percent — recognize Palestine, including nearly all of Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East. France would be the first G7 country to join that group, with the official declaration to be made at the UN General Assembly in September.
