Pakistan, UAE to enhance strategic partnership

Joint statement on PM’s visit says both sides to work together to bridge digital divide

ABU DHABI:

Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) agreed to intensify consultation and coordination to strengthening strategic bilateral partnership with a view to developing a meaningful bilateral cooperation in key areas, said a joint statement issued at the conclusion of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit on Friday.

The bilateral ties were discussed during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s interaction with the UAE leadership as during his visit to the UAE on Thursday and Friday at the invitation of President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. This was Shehbaz’s third visit to the Emirates after assuming the office of prime minister.

According to the joint statement, during their interaction, the two sides agreed to enhance cooperation, particularly in the field of information and communication technologies and work together for bridging the digital divide.

In the “most warm and cordial” meeting, the two leaders held detailed discussions on concrete measures to strengthen the bilateral relationship while also exchanging views on regional political and security matters, the joint statement said.

They also discussed specific initiative to enhance cooperation in political, defence, economic, commercial and cultural areas, developing joint ventures, and strengthening collaboration in the human resource sector, it added. Shehbaz also thanked Al Nahyan for UAE’s generous assistance during the recent floods in Pakistan.

Pakistan and the UAE reaffirmed their historical and brotherly ties, rooted in shared religion, culture, values, and pursuit of regional and global peace and security. Both sides expressed satisfaction at the convergence of views on a host of regional and global issues.

Based on their decades-old fraternal ties, both countries expressed solidarity with each other in efforts to preserve their sovereignty and territorial integrity. With a view to developing tangible and meaningful bilateral cooperation in key areas, the two countries agreed to strengthen their strategic partnership.

The two sides signed memoranda of understanding in the field of combating human trafficking, information exchange, and between the diplomatic academies of both countries. Prime Minister Shehbaz invited President Al Nahyan to visit Pakistan at a later date, and the invitation was accepted by the UAE leadership.