Islamabad; December 30, 2020: Pakistan and Djibouti have reiterated their desire to
strengthen bilateral cooperation in the areas of commerce, culture and defense. This was
discussed at a meeting between President Dr Arif Alvi and the visiting Djibouti parliamentary
delegation, led by President of National Parliament of Djibouti and acting-Chairman of
African Union Parliament, Mr. Mohamed Ali Houmed, at Aiwan-e-Sadr, today.
While welcoming the delegation, the President said that Pakistan and Djibouti
enjoyed excellent relations, and Pakistan wanted to further improve defense and economic
ties with Djibouti for the mutual benefit of the two brotherly countries. He appreciated the
visit of Parliamentary delegation and expressed the hope it would further strengthen the
existing foundation of strong bilateral relations between the two countries. He informed that
Pakistan highly valued its ties with Djibouti and had decided to open its embassy there and
resident diplomatic missions in other African countries.
The President sought the support of the Government of Djibouti to expeditiously
process and clear Pakistani goods at Djibouti port meant for Ethiopia and other destinations
in the Horn of Africa. The President also highlighted the atrocities and human rights
violations being committed by India against the Muslim population in the Illegally Occupied
Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). He emphasized the need for a unified call from international
community to put pressure on India to stop human rights violations and grant Kashmiris their
right to self-determination as promised under the UN Security Council resolutions.
President of National Parliament of Djibouti underscored the need for expanding
bilateral cooperation in every sphere, including culture, trade and defense.  He said that
Gawadar and Djibouti ports would help boost trade between the two brotherly countries. Both
sides emphasized the need for parliamentary, cultural and defense exchanges which would
help in bringing the two countries further closer.