This was the second visit by the Pakistani foreign minister to UAE in the last five months
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi met with Foreign Minister of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and reaffirmed their mutual desire to further strengthen cordial relations between the two countries. The talks were held at delegation level and the two sides agreed to facilitate Ministerial level visits from both sides
Matter of mutual interest such as trade, investment, infrastructure, energy, technology, tourism, and manpower was also discussed during the meeting. The Foreign Ministers also discussed ways to provide fresh impetus to existing Pakistan – UAE ties. Abdullah appreciated the valuable role played by the Pakistani Diaspora in the UAE’s growth and prosperity while Qureshi praised the amazing transformation UAE has seen in the last five decades due to the country’s visionary leadership.
Foreign Minister Qureshi lauded the positive contribution of the Pakistani Diaspora in the UAE towards the development and progress of both countries. He emphasized the need for nurturing and strengthening people-to-people linkages, as well as removing impediments that hamper travel between the two countries.
The two sides also discussed matters of regional interest including the ongoing Indian occupation and the resulting tyranny on the people of Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. The current situation in Afghanistan and the peace talks were also discussed.
Applauding UAE’s decision to roll over the USD 2 billion deposit by the Abu Dhabi Fund, Foreign Minister Abdullah affirmed the UAE’s commitment to extend every possible support to Pakistan.
Appreciating UAE’s warm hospitality, Qureshi invited Foreign Minister Abdullah to visit Pakistan at the earliest opportunity. Foreign Minister Abdullah accepted the invitation.
Pakistan and the UAE have maintained strong ties for almost five decades. There were some cold patches in the last few years but the relations appear to be heading in the right direction once again. The fact that this was Foreign Minister’s second visit to the UAE in the past five months bodes well for the relations between the two brotherly nations.