Will Pakistan's Antarctic Program Be Reinstated?
It has recently been reported that Pakistan is interested in reinstating its previous Antarctic program, which sees expeditioners on the move to conduct sufficient research in Antarctica with the help of Argentinian cooperation.
On Thursday, the 22nd of October, the topic was raised, broaching the matter of Argentina and Pakistan's mutual interest in the project, which was discussed over bilateral political discussions. The panel was held between Pakistani Additional Secretary (Americas) Faisal Niaz Tirmizi and Argentinian Undersecretary (Foreign Policy), Jose Luis Perez Gabilando.
During the 4th round of consultations through a virtual platform, Pakistan and Argentina agreed to enhance their bilateral cooperation in a diverse range of areas, including trade, agriculture, environmental sciences, health, and pharmaceuticals. The two nations also discussed the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and Mr. Tirmizi invited Argentine Foreign Minister Felipe Sola on behalf of Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, to visit at a mutually convenient time in the future.
Pakistan’s Ministry of Climate Change and Ministry of Commerce were also in attendance during the online consultation. Tirmizi also highlighted the importance of the 70th anniversary marking the years of diplomatic relations between the two countries, in October of 2021.