Danish Minister for Foreign Affairs Jeppe Kofod on Friday assured that Denmark is aligned with the European Union (EU) and the United Nations (UN) to advocate for peaceful and diplomatic dialogue for the resolution of the Kashmir dispute.
The Danish minister said this while addressing a press conference along with Foreign Minister (FM) Shah Mahmood Qureshi in Islamabad where the duo held delegation-level talks.
“We are fully in line with the EU and the UN to advocate for peaceful [and] diplomatic dialogue on the Jammu and Kashmir issue. This is what we want to see and what we respect,” he said while commenting on the issue of human rights violations in Indian-occupied Kashmir (IoK).
On the other hand, FM Qureshi was questioned regarding the bill in the US Senate seeking an assessment of Pakistan’s alleged role in Afghanistan and in the Taliban offensive in Panjshir Valley. The FM responded that the government will do everything possible to explain what the correct position was.
However, the FM also pointed to the fact that the bill was not necessarily unbiased since it was presented by a group of Republican senators who had a particular view of the US governments handling of the Afghan withdrawal.
“Pakistan believes in engagement, communication and defending our interests. We will protect Pakistan’s interest and defend our position because we have a lot to share with the US Congress.”
“They have to understand the positive role Pakistan has played in fighting terrorism, facilitating the peace process, what were the causes behind the Afghan debacle and scapegoating Pakistan would be overlooking ground realities.”
“They have to understand that a partnership with Pakistan is required in the future as well to achieve stability in Afghanistan and the region,” he said.
Qureshi also said that the matter of providing support to the US for strikes against Al Qaeda targets in Afghanistan is to be decided by the cabinet.
Meanwhile, the Danish Minister for Foreign Affairs Kofod rejected the possibility of Denmark recognising the Taliban government adding that $80 million had been allocated for humanitarian relief in Afghanistan in 2021.
“We will judge any government in Kabul not on their words but whether they respect people’s rights, whether they are willing to ensure that terrorist groups are not found again and whether they will act as a responsible partner to the international community with the obligations that it implies.”
Moreover, while commenting on the the bilateral relations between Pakistan and Denmark Qureshi said that they were on an upward trajectory adding that a lot more can still be done.
“I asked the foreign minister to look at the visa categorisation that we have been put into and have a fresh look at the travel advisory that we have between our two countries,” Qureshi said.
