Pakistan, Saudi FMs discuss political and security affairs

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and his Suadi counterpart Faisal bin Farhan Al SaudThursday held wide-ranging discussions on a host of issues related to political and security domains.

The two Foreign Ministers held these discussions as they jointly chaired the inaugural session of the Ministerial Committee of Political and Security Pillar of the Saudi-Pakistan Supreme Coordination Committee, held here in the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Underscoring the longstanding fraternal and strategic ties between the two countries, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari expressed his resolve to further strengthen cooperation across the entire spectrum of bilateral relations to realize the aspirations of the leaderships of the two countries, achieve common objectives and push their relationship to reach greater horizons.

The two sides shared an assessment of the changing regional and global environments and reaffirmed their commitment to continue coordinating positions on all issues of common concern including, among others, India-Occupied Kashmir, Afghanistan, Yemen and Syria.

Foreign Minister Bilawal Zardari reiterated Pakistan’s firm support for the safety and security of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, a press release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad said.

He highlighted the need to further strengthen institutionalized linkages between the two countries to counter threats in the security domain; including cyber security, counter-terrorism and its financing, organized crimes, drug trafficking and money laundering.

He expressed satisfaction with existing military and defence ties between the two brotherly countries and underscored Pakistan’s commitment to further bolster cooperation in this area.

The meeting was held under the framework of the Saudi-Pakistan Supreme Coordination Council which is chaired by the Prime Ministers of both countries.

Senior officials from the Ministries of Foreign, Defence, Interior and the Security and Intelligence Services of both countries also attended the meeting.