Pakistan to host signing of US-Iran MoU in Geneva as leaders welcome deal

Pakistan said Monday it will host the June 19 signing in Geneva of a U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding, a deal several countries hailed as a step toward ending long-standing disputes.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif told parliament the ceremony would take place in Geneva following what he described as a "monumental milestone" for global peace and a victory for diplomacy over conflict.

He said the development was "not just an agreement between two nations" but a "victory for peace, dialogue and diplomacy". He also thanked leaders from China, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye for supporting the process.

Sharif said both the United States and Iran had confirmed the agreement.

Following Shari's announcement, Qatar' foreign ministry said it welcomed the memorandum of understanding, saying it addressed outstanding issues between the two sides and would help ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

It described the deal as a step toward sustainable peace and stronger regional and global economic growth.

European Council President Antoio Costa welcomed the agreement in a social media post, saying he hoped the "costly war" would end soon and that freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz would be fully restored.

He said disputes must be resolved peacefully under international law, adding that the European Union stood ready to support efforts toward lasting peace in the Middle East.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the priority was swift and full implementation of the agreement.

She said it should lead to the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the restoration of freedom of navigation, which she described as essential for regional stability and the global economy.

She added that the memorandum opened the door to broader talks on peace and security in the Middle East, and reiterated calls for respect for Lebanon's sovereignty and a genuine ceasefire.

Egypt's foreign ministry also said it welcomed the memorandum, saying it would help end the conflict and support regional and international stability.

It said Egypt hoped the development would build trust and lay the groundwork for renewed cooperation, reiterating support for diplomacy and dialogue.

Pakistan to host signing of US-Iran MoU in Geneva as leaders welcome deal

Chinese Vice Premier Liu Guozhong on Tuesday addressed the High-Level Meeting of African Heads of State and Government and Partners on the Ebola Disease Outbreak via video link.

Liu, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that the vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity and a global community of health for all has charted the course for international cooperation in fighting the pandemic.

Noting that China and Africa have always been a community with a shared future, Liu said China has provided emergency humanitarian assistance to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the African Union (AU), and dispatched medical expert teams to the DRC.

Meanwhile, nearly 1,000 Chinese medical professionals who are working in African countries stand side by side with local people in combating the disease, he said.

China stands ready to provide more medical support to Africa within the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, and calls for the international community to enhance solidarity and cooperation to increase support for African countries, said Liu.

Burundian President and current Chairperson of the AU Evariste Ndayishimiye chaired the meeting. Heads of state and government from more than 10 African countries, including South Africa, Equatorial Guinea and Zimbabwe, attended the meeting. Representatives from international and regional organizations such as the World Health Organization and partners from outside the region also attended.

Chinese vice premier addresses high-level meeting on Ebola outbreak