ISLAMABAD
Pakistan on Tuesday welcomed an extension of the repayment period of a $2 billion loan from the Abu Dhabi Fund of the United Arab Emirates.
The decision of its extension was conveyed to Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi by his UAE counterpart Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al-Nahyan during a meeting in Abu Dhabi. Qureshi thanked his host for the “goodwill gesture” and described it as a sign of growing bilateral relations between the two countries.
Pronouncing the UAE’s decision to roll-over the $2 billion deposit by the Abu Dhabi Fund, Foreign Minister Abdullah affirmed the UAE’s commitment to extend every possible support to Pakistan. Qureshi thanked his counterpart, underscoring that the decision reflected the warm and brotherly ties between the two countries.
“We greatly appreciate the UAE’s continued support and cooperation. The UAE’s decision to roll-over the USD 2 billion deposit by the Abu Dhabi Fund, conveyed during Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi’s just concluded visit to the UAE is yet another manifestation of the close cooperative relations between the two countries,” Foreign Office Spokesperson Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri, said in a statement.
On the other hand, the two foreign ministers held detailed discussions after the delegation level talks.
Qureshi appreciated the UAE’s progress and development over the last five decades. He attributed this achievement to the sagacious and visionary leadership of the nation.
Foreign Minister Abdullah thanked him and acknowledged the valuable role played by Pakistani diaspora in the UAE’s growth and prosperity.
The foreign ministers reaffirmed their mutual desire to further strengthen cordial relations between the two countries. They reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral relations, discussing ways to enhance cooperation in diverse areas including trade, investment, infrastructure, energy, technology, tourism and manpower. They also discussed ways to provide fresh impetus to existing Pakistan–UAE ties. In this regard, they agreed to facilitate Ministerial level visits from both sides.
Qureshi outlined his plans for showcasing the history as well as the future potential of Pakistan-UAE cooperation at EXPO 2020 Dubai in October 2021. He lauded the positive contribution of Pakistani diaspora in the UAE towards the development and progress of both countries.
He emphasised the need for nurturing and strengthening people-to-people linkages, as well as removing impediments that hamper travel between the two countries. He thanked the UAE for its continued support and cooperation bilaterally, as well as at the international fora.
The foreign ministers also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest. Qureshi briefed his counterpart on the grave human rights situation in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and Pakistan’s consistent efforts to support the ongoing peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan.
Expressing sincere appreciation for UAE’s warm hospitality, Qureshi reiterated his invitation to Foreign Minister Abdullah to visit Pakistan at the earliest opportunity. Foreign Minister Abdullah graciously accepted the invitation.
Meanwhile, in the next leg of his four-day visit, Foreign Minister Qureshi on Tuesday left for Iran. He will hold talks with his Iranian counterpart as well as call on the Iranian president. Qureshi is also due to visit Qatar and Turkey as part of Pakistan’s diplomatic outreach on the issue of Afghanistan
