Pakistan, Italy agree to strengthen bilateral ties 

Pakistan and Italy have agreed to make joint efforts to strengthen bilateral relations and enhance cooperation in areas of mutual interest, reported 24News HD TV channel on Monday. 

The delegations of Italy and Pakistan met and held talks at Foreign Office Islamabad. The Pakistani delegation was led by Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi while the Italian delegation was led by his counterpart Luigi Di Maio.

On the occasion, FM Qureshi thanked Italy for supporting Pakistan on GSP Plus status and FATF. He also expressed his condolences to his Italian counterpart for the loss of lives during the Coronavirus pandemic. He also praised the Italian government for taking effective measures to curb the spread of the virus. He said despite Pakistan had limited resources but the Smart Lockdown by the government had helped to control the pandemic and prevent its spread.

The FM said that Pakistan attached special importance to bilateral relations with Italy. He said that Prime Minister Imran Khan was in touch with the heads of state of many EU countries on the situation in Afghanistan. He further said that he himself had the opportunity to discuss the situation of Afghanistan with a number of European foreign ministers.

Qureshi also congratulated the Italian FM on assuming the presidency of the G-20 and said that the decision of the G20 to convene a conference on the situation in Afghanistan was commendable.