Pakistan, UAE committed to peace, stability while taking stock of regional developments

President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday met United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan with the two leaders reaffirming their commitment to peace and stability as they took stock of regional and international development.

President Zardari arrived in the UAE a day ago for a four-day official visit.

According to a statement issued by the President’s Secretariat, Zardari, accompanied by a high-level delegation, met Sheikh Mohamed today. “Both sides also exchanged views on a range of regional and international developments and reaffirmed their commitment to promoting peace, stability and sustainable development,” it added.

The leaders also discussed ways to further deepen the “longstanding and brotherly relations” between their countries, the statement said, adding that the two sides reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral cooperation and explored new opportunities in trade, investment, energy, infrastructure, technology and people-to-people exchanges.

The statement noted that both leaders highlighted the “significant potential” for expanding economic and strategic partnership.

President Zardari highlighted the significance of Sheikh Mohamed’s recent visit to Pakistan and expressed appreciation for the UAE’s continued support in strengthening bilateral ties.

The meeting was also attended by First Lady Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari, Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, and Pakistan’s ambassador to the UAE.

A day ago, the UAE said it would not allow attacks on Iran to be launched from its territory amid the latter’s increasing tensions with the United States.

Earlier this month at the UN Security Council, Pakistan called for an “inclusive” political settlement of the “protracted” conflict in Yemen while appreciating the diplomatic efforts being undertaken by Saudi Arabia, Oman and the UAE towards the endeavour.

Last month, Pakistan had expressed full support for Saudi Arabia’s diplomatic efforts to ensure peace and stability in Yemen, while also commending the role of the UAE in the process.

Last year in December, President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan arrived in Pakistan on the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and was accorded a warm and cordial welcome. A formation of JF-17 fighter jets escorted the royal aircraft as it entered Pakistani airspace.

The UAE president was received at Nur Khan Airbase by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, and Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir. Senior cabinet members and government officials were also present.

During the visit, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed held substantive talks with PM Shehbaz. According to a statement issued after the meetings, the discussions focused on “further strengthening the longstanding fraternal relations between Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates.”

“The two leaders reviewed the progress achieved in ongoing areas of cooperation and explored avenues to deepen engagement across a wide range of sectors,” the statement said.

Both sides underscored the importance of expanding collaboration in economic cooperation, investment, energy, infrastructure development, information technology, technology and people-to-people exchanges. They also agreed on the need to enhance bilateral trade, which, the statement noted, “has great potential for mutually beneficial growth.”