ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Denmark have agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation, including high-level exchanges and collaboration in the area of renewable energy for a green transition.

This was agreed during a meeting of State Secretary of Denmark Steen Hommel with Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood, on Thursday.

"A sincere and heartfelt appreciation from the Government of Denmark to the Government of Pakistan was conveyed by State Secretary Steen Hommel on the occasion of his meeting with Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood," stated a joint press statement issued after the meeting.

The Danish envoy further stated: "In the situation evolving in Afghanistan, we are deeply grateful for the professional assistance and outstanding support to enable airlifts of vulnerable persons to Islamabad International Airport for their continued journey."

He further stated that the success of the joint operation would not have been possible without Pakistan's rapid, efficient and broad assistance across numerous civilian and military authorities. It added that the two sides exchanged views on the developing situation in Afghanistan and affirmed the importance of continued focus on security, stability and inclusive political settlement.

Renewing the bilateral relationship between Pakistan and Denmark, it added that the two sides agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation, including high-level exchanges and collaboration in the area of renewable energy for a green transition.

"Pakistan and Denmark have long-standing ties, and the ongoing coordinated efforts have brought the two countries even closer," it added.

Pakistan is undertaking a major evacuation operation from Afghanistan since Taliban took over Kabul on August 15, 2021. Official sources said Pakistan had so far evacuated 4,571 persons, including foreigners, diplomats, representatives of the International Non-Governmental Organisations (INGOs), media persons as well as Pakistani nationals.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2021