European Council President Antonio Costa expressed strong support for Pakistan’s initiatives aimed at ending hostilities in the Middle East, emphasizing that dialogue and diplomacy are essential for achieving lasting peace and stability in the region. These remarks were made during a phone conversation with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday.
During the call, the two leaders also reviewed the state of Pakistan–EU relations, underscoring the significance of the GSP+ trade status. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif confirmed the discussion on his social media platform X, noting that he updated Costa on Islamabad’s ongoing efforts to foster peace and stability in the Middle East. He highlighted their mutual agreement that dialogue and diplomacy must prevail to restore regional harmony.
Additionally, the prime minister mentioned their discussion about the upcoming Pakistan–EU Business Forum, planned for late April in Islamabad. He expressed eagerness to visit Brussels at a mutually convenient time and extended good wishes to EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Pakistan has positioned itself as a crucial intermediary between Iran and the United States amid the ongoing conflict, facilitating communication between the two countries. This role has included direct engagement involving Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir and former US President Donald Trump, as acknowledged by the White House.
In a significant development, Islamabad intensified its diplomatic efforts by hosting a quadrilateral meeting on Sunday, which brought together foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and Egypt to discuss the conflict. Following this meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar announced Pakistan’s readiness to host potential talks between Iran and the United States, noting that both parties have expressed confidence in Pakistan’s mediation capabilities.
Meanwhile, Antonio Costa noted that Prime Minister Shehbaz had briefed him on the outcomes of the quadrilateral meeting held in Islamabad. The European Union remains deeply concerned about the ongoing war and its expanding global repercussions. Costa reiterated the EU’s support for all mediation efforts and wished Pakistan success in its diplomatic endeavors.
He stressed that only through dialogue and diplomacy—conducted in full compliance with the UN Charter and international law—can peace and stability be restored in the Middle East.
