Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and President of the European Council Antonio Costa, on Monday, expressed their deep concerns over the ongoing hostilities in Iran and the Gulf countries, and their impact on the global economy.

They stressed the need to resolve the crisis through dialogue and diplomacy.

The prime minister received a telephone call from the President of the European Council, the PM Office Media Wing said in a press release.

During their warm and cordial conversation, the two leaders discussed the ongoing hostilities in the Middle East, as well as exchanging views on Pakistan-EU relations.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also shared with the EU Council president the latest developments in Pakistan’s mediation efforts to de-escalate the Middle East crisis.

The EU Council president endorsed Pakistan’s peace efforts while reaffirming that the EU supported all diplomatic efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in the region.

Highlighting the importance of GSP Plus, the prime minister said that he looked forward to inaugurating the first-ever Pakistan-EU Business Forum in Islamabad on April 28-29 this year.

While highlighting that Pakistan attached high significance to its relations with the EU, the prime minister recalled that his scheduled visit to Brussels had to be postponed last month.

The EU Council president said that he looked forward to welcoming him in Brussels on mutually convenient dates.

The prime minister also conveyed his good wishes for Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission.