Pakistan, Venezuela FMs discuss strengthening bilateral ties, economic cooperation

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, along with Venezuela’s newly appointed Foreign Minister Félix Plasencia, reaffirmed their commitment to expanding relations between Pakistan and Venezuela while discussing broader cooperation in trade, investment, and other key sectors.

Dar received a call from Minister of Foreign Relations and Foreign Trade of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Félix Plasencia, according to a post shared by Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on X on Sunday.

Dar extended his warm congratulations to Plasencia on his appointment.

'Heartfelt condolences' 

He conveyed Pakistan’s heartfelt condolences over the devastating earthquakes that recently struck Venezuela, the social media post said.

Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering solidarity with the government and the people of Venezuela during this difficult time and expressed confidence in their resilience and recovery.

Plasencia thanked DPM/FM for Pakistan’s message of sympathy and solidarity.

He also expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s support and humanitarian solidarity with the victims of the natural disasters, underscoring the importance of mutual support in times of need.

Pakistan’s role lauded

Plasencia further acknowledged Pakistan’s constructive role in promoting dialogue and de-escalation in the regional situation involving the United States and Iran and commended its commitment to peace and diplomacy, it added.

The two ministers exchanged views on the longstanding friendly relations between Pakistan and Venezuela and reaffirmed their shared commitment to further strengthening bilateral ties.

They discussed opportunities to expand cooperation across a broad range of sectors, including trade, investment, business, agriculture, IT, and other areas of mutual interest.

Both sides underscored the considerable potential for enhancing economic collaboration and fostering stronger people-to-people contacts for the mutual benefit of the two countries.

Dar emphasized the importance of sustained high-level engagement to reinvigorate bilateral relations and further deepen cooperation.

Both sides appreciated the continued close coordination between Pakistan and Venezuela at multilateral forums on issues of common interest.

They agreed to remain in close contact and to meet at the earliest appropriate opportunity, according to the X post.