ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has said that forging cordial relations with United Arab Emirates (UAE) would be one of the priorities of his government, as being an important trade and investment partner of Pakistan and home to 1.6 million strong Pakistani diaspora, UAE had a special place in the hearts of Pakistani people.
Talking to the UAE’s Ambassador to Pakistan Hamad Obaid Ibrahim Salem Al-Zaabi who made a courtesy call on him in Islamabad on Wednesday to congratulate him on assuming office of the Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Qureshi paid tribute to late Crown Prince Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, saying that he was a true friend of Pakistan and architect of Pakistan-UAE relations.
The foreign minister expressed deep appreciation for Sheikh Muhammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s unwavering support to the cause of polio eradication in Pakistan and other development and humanitarian projects undertaken by the UAE in the far flung and disasters afflicted areas under UAE-Pakistan Assistance Programme.
The Ambassador of UAE called on the Foreign Minister. The FM called for strengthening of relations between UAE and Pakistan. He also appreciated the role of H.E. Shaikh Zaid al Nahiyan in promoting the relations between the two countries .
— Dr Mohammad Faisal (@ForeignOfficePk) August 29, 2018
Shah Mahmood Qureshi expressed the hope to meet the Foreign Minister of UAE Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed on the margins of 73rd United Nations General Assembly in New York next month to give the much needed impetus to bilateral ties, after a lull period of five years.
The minister strongly proposed revival of leadership level contacts between the two Countries and an early convening of Joint Ministerial Commission to put the relations back on an upward trajectory.
The UAE ambassador welcomed the proposals made by the foreign minister and expressed the desire of UAE leadership to work closely with the new leadership in Pakistan to push forward their people-oriented agenda.
They agreed to expedite signing of visa waiver agreement for holders of diplomatic and official passport holders and rationalization of business visa fee on reciprocal basis.
The UAE ambassador extended an invitation to the foreign minister to participate in Sir Bani Yas Forum in UAE later this year. He also conveyed to the foreign minister warm wishes of the UAE leadership in discharge of his duties.
The foreign minister warmly reciprocated the sincere wishes of Sheikh Muhammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and his UAE Counterpart.
