UAE, Pakistan Presidents Discuss Strengthening Bilateral Cooperation

Abu Dhabi, The Gulf Observer: President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Tuesday held talks with His Excellency Asif Ali Zardari, President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, on ways to further strengthen bilateral relations, with a particular focus on the economy, trade and investment, in support of shared development goals that benefit both countries and their peoples.

His Highness welcomed President Zardari, who is on a working visit to the United Arab Emirates, during a meeting at Qasr Al Bahr in Abu Dhabi. He expressed appreciation for the Pakistani President’s commitment to deepening UAE–Pakistan ties, noting the steady growth witnessed in relations between the two countries.

The discussions addressed ongoing negotiations on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which both sides hope will represent a significant step forward in enhancing economic and trade cooperation.

The two leaders also exchanged views on a range of regional and international issues of mutual interest, stressing the importance of promoting peace and stability through dialogue and diplomatic solutions in the interest of regional and global security.

His Highness noted that Pakistan’s current membership of the United Nations Security Council presents additional opportunities to strengthen cooperation between the UAE and Pakistan at the UN, in support of regional and international stability.

President Zardari reaffirmed the strength of bilateral relations, highlighting the continued development of cooperation between the two countries and Pakistan’s keenness to further expand ties, particularly in the economic sphere, in ways that create new partnership opportunities and contribute to the prosperity of both nations.

The meeting at the Qasr Al Bahr Majlis was attended by H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi; H.H. Sheikh Saif bin Mohamed Al Nahyan; H.H. Sheikh Suroor bin Mohamed Al Nahyan; H.H. Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation; Lt. General H.H. Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior; H.H. Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan; H.H. Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Development and Fallen Heroes’ Affairs; H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs; H.H. Sheikh Zayed bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan; and Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence.

Also present were Sheikh Mohamed bin Hamad bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Adviser to the UAE President, along with a number of ministers, senior officials, guests and members of President Zardari’s accompanying delegation.