BÜRGENSTOCK, Sunday, June 21, 2026 (WNP): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, United States Vice President J.D. Vance and Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani on Sunday reaffirmed their shared commitment to diplomacy, expressing confidence that the Pakistan-hosted technical-level talks between the United States and Iran would pave the way for a sustainable peace agreement and contribute to long-term regional and global stability.
The three leaders made the remarks while speaking to the media ahead of the commencement of the technical-level negotiations in Bürgenstock, Switzerland, being held as a follow-up to the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (Islamabad MoU).
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was accompanied by Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, while the gathering was also attended by Pakistan’s Minister for Interior Mohsin Naqvi, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar and members of the participating delegations.
Addressing journalists, Prime Minister Shehbaz expressed optimism that the discussions between the United States and Iran would produce positive outcomes and culminate in a comprehensive document that would advance peace, progress and prosperity across the region and beyond.
He described the negotiations as a crucial step towards promoting regional peace and economic stability, noting that the recent conflict had created enormous challenges for the international community.
The prime minister paid tribute to United States President Donald J. Trump for his visionary and dynamic leadership, which made the Switzerland talks possible.
He also commended Vice President J.D. Vance for his leadership throughout the diplomatic process, while expressing appreciation to Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for their outstanding contributions and sustained efforts to advance the peace initiative.
“I think together all these efforts have culminated here in this wonderful, humanistic Bürgenstock. Hopefully, when we return to our countries, we will have an important document in our hands that promotes peace, progress and prosperity around the globe,” Prime Minister Shehbaz said.
Speaking on the occasion, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance praised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for their leadership and tireless diplomatic engagement throughout the negotiations.
“We would not be here without the Field Marshal, who is a great military leader, statesman and diplomat,” Vance said.
He described Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif as “a dear friend” whose careful leadership and skilled negotiations had helped bring the parties to the current stage of the peace process.
“I’ve probably talked to Field Marshal Asim Munir more than I’ve talked to anybody else over the last three months. We would not be here without his statesmanship,” the vice president remarked.
Vance also commended the leadership of Qatar, describing Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani as an important friend of the United States whose constructive role had been instrumental in facilitating the negotiations.
He said the objective of the talks was to transform the Middle East through diplomacy, dialogue and cooperation.
“What we’re trying to accomplish here is something very simple: through diplomacy and working together, to transform the Middle East into a region where everyone can work together to promote peace and prosperity,” he said.
Describing the meeting as “historic,” Vance noted that never before had the American and Iranian leaderships engaged at such a high level.
He said President Donald Trump had instructed the U.S. team to open a new chapter in relations with Iran through diplomacy and constructive engagement.
“What the President has asked us to do is turn over a new leaf, transform our relationship with the people of Iran and extend an outstretched hand. That is certainly our goal. We’ve already made significant progress over the past few hours, and I expect even greater progress in the hours ahead,” he added.
Responding to a question on Lebanon, the vice president said President Trump remained committed to achieving a comprehensive regional ceasefire and confirmed that efforts were continuing to secure peace across the wider Middle East.
Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani also praised the leadership of Vice President Vance, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for initiating and sustaining the diplomatic process.
He expressed confidence that continued dialogue and cooperation would help achieve a lasting settlement, strengthen regional stability and reinforce the collective commitment to peaceful conflict resolution.
The technical-level negotiations are being held under the framework of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, electronically signed by U.S. President Donald J. Trump and Iranian President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian, and endorsed by Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif as mediator. The talks are expected to address the practical modalities for implementing the agreement and advancing the next phase of the peace process between Washington and Tehran.
