ISLAMABAD:
European Council President Antonio Costa on Monday reaffirmed diplomatic support for Pakistan’s Middle East peace efforts to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, stating that only dialogue and diplomacy could bring peace to the region.
Tensions in the Middle East escalated sharply after US and Israeli airstrikes last month assassinated Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several senior officials, triggering a wave of retaliation from Tehran and widening the conflict across the region.
In response to the attacks, Iran launched retaliatory strikes on US military bases in several Gulf countries, significantly expanding the scope of the confrontation.
Pakistan has since stepped up its diplomatic efforts to play its role in easing tensions, emerging as a key mediator between the US and Iran in their ongoing conflict, which had spread across the Gulf region.
According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) on X today, Costa and Prime Minister Shehbaz discussed the ongoing hostilities in the Middle East and exchanged views on Pakistan-EU relations.
“Both leaders expressed their deep concern over the ongoing hostilities in Iran and the Gulf countries and their impact on the global economy. They stressed the need to resolve the crisis through dialogue and diplomacy,” the statement read.
The PMO further stated that the Prime Minister also shared the latest developments in Pakistan’s mediation efforts to de-escalate the Middle East crisis. Costa supported Pakistan’s peace efforts and reaffirmed the EU’s support for all diplomatic initiatives aimed at restoring peace and stability in the region.
“PM Shehbaz highlighted the importance of GSP Plus and mentioned that he was looking forward to inaugurating the first ever Pakistan-EU Business Forum in Islamabad on April 28-29,” the statement added.
According to the PMO, the prime minister recalled that his planned visit to Brussels had to be postponed last month, underscoring that Pakistan attached great importance to its relations with the EU.
“The EU Council President said he looked forward to welcoming the Prime Minister to Brussels on mutually convenient dates,” the statement added.
The statement also mentioned that Prime Minister Shehbaz conveyed his good wishes to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Separately on X, Costa stated: “Good call today with the Prime Minister of Pakistan to hear his assessment of the Iran war, as well as the outcome of the recent consultations between the foreign ministers of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey held in Islamabad.”
“The EU is deeply concerned about the prolongation of the war and its increasing global impact. I wish Pakistan all the best in its peace efforts,” he added.
