BÜRGENSTOCK, SWITZERLAND (GNP): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, US Vice President J.D. Vance, and Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani addressed the media ahead of the commencement of technical-level talks between the United States and Iran at Bürgenstock, Switzerland, on 21 June 2026. The talks mark a significant continuation of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the two nations, with Pakistan serving as the host and facilitator of the diplomatic process.
Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed hope that the discussions would yield positive outcomes and produce a document advancing peace, progress, and prosperity for people across the globe. He described the talks as crucial for regional and international stability, and credited US President Donald Trump’s leadership for bringing the parties to the negotiating table in Switzerland.
He also commended the roles of US Vice President Vance, Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, and Chief of Army Staff and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for their outstanding contributions to the diplomatic process.
“I think together all these efforts have culminated here in this wonderful, humanistic Bürgenstock,” Prime Minister Shehbaz remarked. “Hopefully, when we go back to our homes, we’ll have some wonderful paper in our hands which will promote peace, progress, and prosperity around the globe.”
US Vice President J.D. Vance expressed appreciation for the efforts of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, stating that the gathering would not have been possible without their sustained statesmanship. “I’ve probably talked to Field Marshal Munir more than I’ve talked to anybody else over the last three months. We would not be here without his statesmanship,” Vance stated. He also described the meeting as “historic,” noting that never before had Iranian and American leadership convened at such a high level.
Vance reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to regional peace, stating that the goal was to transform the Middle East through diplomacy and collective effort. Responding to a query regarding Lebanon, he confirmed that President Trump remained committed to achieving a full regional ceasefire.
Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani also praised the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz and Field Marshal Munir for their role in initiating and sustaining the diplomatic process.
On the sidelines of the talks, Swiss Vice President and Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s mediation role that steered negotiations leading to the signing of the Islamabad MoU. Switzerland also conveyed willingness to contribute to the follow-up process. Prime Minister Shehbaz affirmed that the successful implementation of the MoU would contribute to regional peace and global economic stability.
Also Read: Pakistan Facilitates Islamabad MoU Between United States and Iran
During the bilateral meeting, the two sides discussed enhanced cooperation in pharmaceuticals, tourism, information technology, cybersecurity, and climate change and disaster risk reduction. Prime Minister Sharif also extended a formal invitation to the Swiss Foreign Minister to visit Pakistan at a mutually convenient time.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir also held a separate meeting with Vice President Vance and the US delegation on the sidelines of the talks, further reinforcing the strong bilateral engagement between Pakistan and the United States in support of regional peace.
