Qureshi, Japanese FM Motegi discuss COVID-19 situation

• Qureshi expressed the views in a telephonic conversation with his Japanese counterpart Toshimitsu Motegi on the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath.
• He lauded the effective measures being taken by Japan to contain the outbreak.
• Qureshi briefed Foreign Minister Motegi about Prime Minister Imran Khan’s 'Global Initiative on Debt Relief' for the developing countries.

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi Friday said the coronavirus pandemic was the gravest challenge of the century and required collaborative steps by the nations to effectively counter it.

Qureshi expressed the views in a telephonic conversation with his Japanese counterpart Toshimitsu Motegi on the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath.

He lauded the effective measures being taken by Japan to contain the outbreak.

He thanked Japan for assisting Pakistan to combat the pandemic as well as in dealing with the desert locust attack.

Expressing confidence that Pakistanis would be looked after in Japan, he assured Foreign Minister Motegi of all possible facilitation to the Japanese nationals in Pakistan.

The two ministers exchanged views on the socioeconomic ramifications of the pandemic.

Qureshi briefed Foreign Minister Motegi about Prime Minister Imran Khan’s 'Global Initiative on Debt Relief' for the developing countries.

The foreign minister underscored that without immediate, coordinated and comprehensive actions to create fiscal space, the developing world might have to contend with dire social, political and economic consequences.

On situation in the Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IOJ&K), FM Qureshi said the human rights violations were continuing unabated and concerns had intensified about the spread of the infection due to restrictions on information dissemination and unfettered access to medical and other essential supplies.

He also mentioned about the demonization of Indian Muslims in the context of COVID-19 and also the growing Islamophobia. Both foreign ministers expressed commitment to further strengthen bilateral relations.

It was agreed to commemorate the 70th anniversary of establishment of Pakistan-Japan diplomatic relations in 2022, in a befitting manner.

According to a Japanese Embassy’s press release, Foreign Minister Motegi expressed his gratitude for the support from the Government of Pakistan for the special flight operated by the Pakistan International Airlines that repatriated Japanese nationals residing in Pakistan in mid-April.

Foreign Minister Motegi requested continued cooperation for ensuring the safety of Japanese nationals in Pakistan.

Furthermore, the Japanese foreign minister showed his intention to advance various bilateral dialogues and people-to-people exchanges, once COVID-19 situation calmed down.

On the telephone talk between the two foreign ministers, Ambassador MATSUDA Kuninori welcomed the exchange of views on future prospect of Japan-Pakistan relationship between the two leaders and renewed his resolve to further boost the interaction and cooperation between the two countries.