Ambassador Eleni Pouríchi reaffirmed Greece’s commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation with Pakistan and expressed appreciation for the constructive dialogue held during the meeting
Abid Raza
ISLAMABAD, 29 OCT The Pakistan–Greece Parliamentary Friendship Group, chaired by Senator Rubina Qaim Khani, met today at the Parliament House. H.E. Ms. Eleni Pouríchi, Ambassador of Greece to Pakistan; Senator Fawzia Arshad; and senior officials from the Senate Secretariat and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs attended the meeting, among others.
The session began with a warm exchange between both sides, reaffirming the longstanding bonds of friendship and cooperation between Pakistan and Greece. Senator Rubina Qaim Khani extended a cordial welcome to the Ambassador, expressing appreciation for Greece’s continued engagement in strengthening bilateral relations.
Senator Rubina Qaim Khani emphasized the importance of enhanced parliamentary exchanges between the two countries, noting that such interactions are vital for building mutual understanding and collaboration. She expressed Pakistan’s interest in reviving high-level parliamentary visits, recalling that the last such exchange took place in 2006. She also highlighted the constructive role of the Pakistani diaspora in Greece, whose remittances and positive contributions continue to serve as a bridge between the two nations.
Senator Rubina Qaim Khani noted the shared challenge of irregular migration and underscored the need for a cooperative approach to ensure legal, safe, and regulated avenues for employment. She appreciated Greece’s efforts to integrate Pakistani workers and recognized the importance of working together on migration-related issues within a humane and rules-based framework.
Ambassador Eleni Pouríchi reaffirmed Greece’s commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation with Pakistan and expressed appreciation for the constructive dialogue held during the meeting. She outlined Greece’s adherence to international law and the peaceful settlement of disputes, emphasizing cooperation in areas such as national security, migration management, climate change, and education. The Ambassador also informed participants about Greece’s efforts to streamline visa procedures, promote student exchanges, and explore new opportunities in technical collaboration and skilled migration.
Senator Fawzia Arshad appreciated the constructive discussion and proposed enhanced cooperation in agriculture, digital innovation, and education. She drew attention to the potential for collaboration in olive cultivation and related agricultural industries in Pakistan’s Potohar region, where the climate and soil conditions are well suited for such initiatives. She also highlighted the importance of continued dialogue on humanitarian and regional issues, including the peaceful resolution of long-standing disputes such as Kashmir, in accordance with international principles. Senator Fawzia further underlined the value of cooperation on climate resilience and disaster management.
Ambassador Pouríchi also highlighted the potential for expanding trade and investment, particularly in sectors such as agriculture, food processing, and olive cultivation, and encouraged greater engagement between the business communities of both countries.
Senator Rubina Qaim Khani reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to dialogue and the peaceful settlement of regional matters in line with international norms and reaffirmed the country’s desire to deepen its partnership with Greece across diverse fields. She also extended an invitation to Ambassador Pouríchi to visit her home province of Sindh, noting the warm hospitality and cultural richness of the region.
Both sides expressed their resolve to maintain close engagement through parliamentary and institutional channels and to explore practical avenues of cooperation in education, trade, migration management, and people-to-people exchanges. The discussions reflected a shared desire to transform the longstanding goodwill between Pakistan and Greece into tangible partnerships and mutually beneficial initiatives.
