ABU DHABI – Prime Minister Imran Khan and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Shiekh Muhammad bin Zayed Al Nahyan have agreed to transform Pakistan-UAE Relations into long term strategic economic partnership.
The Pakistani premier on Sunday held a meeting with the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces, to discuss matters of bilateral, regional and mutual interest.
Khan is on a day-long official visit to the Gulf country on the invitation of Abu Dhabi crown prince.
Warm welcome
Upon his arrival at the Presidential Palace in Abu Dhabi, PM Khan was accorded an official reception where the Pakistani national anthem was played, and a 21-gun salute was fired in his honour. Khan and his accompanying delegation were also greeted by a number of Sheikhs and senior officials who welcomed his visit to the country.
Amongst those welcoming the Pakistani official were Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Adviser; Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs; Suhail bin Mohammed Faraj Faris Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Industry; Dr. Sultan bin Ahmad Al Jaber, Minister of State; Ali bin Hammad Al Shamsi, Deputy Secretary-General of the Supreme National Security Council; Mohammed Mubarak Al Mazrouei, Under-secretary of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince’s Court; Issa Saif bin Ablan Al Mazrouei, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces; and Hamad Al Zaabi, UAE Ambassador to Pakistan.
The Pakistani delegation included Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi; Minister of Finance Asad Umar; Minister of Petroleum Ghulam Sarwar Khan Minister of Energy and Power Omar Ayub Khan; Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa; and the country’s Ambassador to the UAE, Moazzam Ahmad Khan.
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Hailing Emirati heroes
Prime Minister Khan also visited Sheikh Zayed Mosque, and the Martyrs’ Memorial where he paid homage to Emirati heroes who had sacrificed in the service of their nation.
Strategic Long-Term Economic Partnership
Delegation level talks with Crown Prince Sheikh Muhmmad bin Zayed focused on all areas of bilateral, regional, and global interest.
Expressing satisfaction at the positive trajectory of relations, the two leaders agreed to take immediate measures to further elevate their historic partnership. They resolved to strengthen trade and economic ties and eliminate all impediments to seamless flow of trade and investment between the two countries.
They expressed satisfaction over the fruitful outcome of the visit of the high-level UAE economic delegation to Pakistan recently and reiterated their resolve to transform the existing special relations into a Strategic Long-Term Economic Partnership by adopting a direct, transparent and time bound approach.
The two sides agreed to chalk out a comprehensive roadmap to accelerate cooperation and partnership in areas encompassing trade, investment, economic development, energy, infrastructure and agriculture, with a view to accrue early dividends from the economic partnership.
Pakistan-UAE Joint Ministerial Commission
PM Khan and Crown Prince Muhammad bin Zayed decided to hold the next Pakistan-UAE Joint Ministerial Commission, to be co-chaired by the respective Foreign Ministers in Abu Dhabi in February 2019. They further reaffirmed their commitment to hold the Senior Officials’ Bilateral Political Consultations between the Foreign Ministries and fast track finalization of pending agreements at the earliest.
The two leaders expressed satisfaction at the on-going defence and security cooperation, and resolved to explore further collaboration in the areas of training, joint exercises and defence production.
The two leaders noted that a key element of partnership between the two countries was the complete identity of views on regional and global importance. They reiterated their strong belief that only by espousing the principles of tolerance, inclusivity, non-interference and focusing on a people centric development agenda can the region attain sustainable peace and stability.
Fight against terror
They strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, and expressed their resolve to work closely to root out this scourge. The Crown Prince recognised the efforts and unparalleled sacrifices made by Pakistan to eliminate terrorism and extremism.
The two sides also agreed to further strengthen their cooperation to deal with transnational organized crime, including drug trafficking, money laundering and human trafficking.
Imran Khan also paid rich tribute to the founder and first President of the UAE, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan for his foresight and visionary leadership and his contribution towards laying the foundation of Pakistan-UAE friendship. Sheikh Zayed, the PM recalled, was a sincere friend of Pakistan, who had great love in his heart for Pakistan and its people. “The people of Pakistan reciprocated this love, and continue to hold Sheikh Zayed and the leadership of the UAE in high esteem,” he added.
The premier further lauded the progress achieved by the UAE in fostering tolerance, inclusive economic development, innovation, and youth and women empowerment. In particular, he appreciated UAE’s success in promoting tourism, and leveraging technology for improved governance.
Khan thanked the UAE and its leadership for their continued commitment to Pakistan’s socio-economic development in the shape of Pakistan Assistance Programme. He specifically thanked Sheikh Muhammad bin Zayed Al Nahyan for his support to eradicate polio from Pakistan.
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Expo 2020
Prime Minister Imran Khan briefed the UAE leadership about his government’s people centric reform agenda including the steps being taken to eliminate corruption and promote transparency and accountability at all levels of government.
Pakistan reiterated its readiness to actively participate in Expo 2020 and extend full support to the UAE in making this mega event a great success. Pakistan offered UAE the services of its IT professionals and skilled labour, in preparing for Expo 2020.
Acknowledging the contribution of Pakistani professionals as well as skilled and unskilled workers in the development of UAE, the two sides agreed to enhance cooperation on all labour related issues.
This was the second visit of Prime Minister Imran Khan to the UAE in as many months. The visit underscored the strength and substance of the Pakistan-UAE special relationship, which is based on the spirit of mutual affection and deep trust, and rooted in age old civilizational, religious, cultural and commercial affinities.
Prime Minister Imran Khan expressed his sincere appreciation for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to him and his delegation. He reiterated his invitation to Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to visit Pakistan on mutually convenient dates. He happily accepted the invitation.
Imran Khan’s latest visit to the UAE comes nearly two months after he first visited the Emirates following his election as the prime minister.
