OMM Redaksiyası
European Union leaders have welcomed Pakistan’s diplomatic role in mediating between the United States and Iran as efforts to reduce tensions and revive negotiations intensified on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.
European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen met with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during the 81st session of the General Assembly, according to a statement from the prime minister’s office.
“We work together on stability and security. We thanked the Prime Minister for his initiative to mediate in the conflict between the US and Iran,” Costa and von der Leyen said in separate, identical posts on “X”.
EU leaders back dialogue and diplomacy
Sharif, Costa and von der Leyen exchanged views on regional and global developments and “reaffirmed the importance of dialogue, diplomacy, international law and the peaceful resolution of disputes”, the Pakistani prime minister’s office said.
The appeal for a peaceful resolution came as the conflict between the United States and Iran continued alongside the Russia-Ukraine war.
“Pakistan is playing an important role in support of de-escalation, dialogue and the peaceful resolution of conflicts,” the two EU leaders said.
Pakistan’s mediation role
Islamabad has taken on a significant mediating role between Washington and Tehran since the United States and Israel launched a military campaign against Iran in February this year.
Pakistan’s prime minister’s office said the sides reviewed the “full spectrum” of bilateral relations. Sharif also reaffirmed Islamabad’s commitment to further strengthening its broad-based partnership with the EU and fully implementing the Pakistan-EU Strategic Engagement Plan.
“The EU values its partnership with Pakistan. Our Strategic Engagement Plan reflects both the breadth of this partnership and the shared commitment to democracy, the rule of law, human rights and civic space,” Costa and von der Leyen said.
