Shafaqna Pakistan: Pakistan’s Ambassador to Italy, Ali Javed, and Italy’s Secretary General for Foreign Affairs, Riccardo Guariglia, have signed an agreement eliminating visa requirements for holders of diplomatic passports. The signing ceremony was held at the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Rome.
Prior to the ceremony, the two officials held bilateral talks and expressed satisfaction with the depth, pace, and positive trajectory of strategic cooperation between their countries. They reviewed the full spectrum of traditionally friendly bilateral relations and discussed cooperation at multilateral forums, including the United Nations and the European Union.
Both sides described the agreement as a reflection of the mutual trust and friendship between Pakistan and Italy, as well as a valuable addition to the existing framework of bilateral cooperation. They noted that the accord would facilitate smoother exchanges of diplomatic delegations and further strengthen engagement between the two countries.
Whereas numerous accords are currently under active consideration by both sides, 21 MoUs exist between universities & think tanks and 15 agreements have been concluded between the two governments in areas ranging from Tourism to Culture, Science & Technology, sports, Higher Defense Studies and Cooperation against Drugs Trafficking.
‘Defence Cooperation’ accord was signed in 2009, ‘Strategic Engagement Plan’ established between Foreign Ministers in 2013 and ‘Joint Economic Commission’ in 2005, whereas Treaty for ‘Protection of Investments’ was reached 1997, ‘Dual Citizenship Agreement’ signed in 1983 and Extradition Treaty in 1972.
Last year, Pakistan & Italy concluded MoU for ‘Labor Mobility & Migration’, in Islamabad, Pakistan’s first labor accord with a European State. It qualifies Pakistani workforce to pursue 10,500 Pakistan-specific jobs quota in Italy.
Ambassador reiterated invitation to the Secretary General on behalf of the Foreign Secretary to visit Pakistan for the 7th Round of ‘Bilateral Political Consultations’. He conveyed readiness to convene the engagement in last quarter of 2026 along with keenness to inaugurate newly built Italian Embassy in Islamabad, Italy’s largest Diplomatic Mission overseas, underscoring salience of relations with Pakistan.
Source: Dunya News
