ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Monday called on UAE Minister for Tolerance and Harmony Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan and discussed bilateral trade and investment in Pakistan, especially in the hospitality industry.
Acknowledging Sheikh Nahyan's involvement in bilateral relations between the two countries, the Foreign Minister described him as a "true friend of Pakistan" and appreciated his role in strengthening people-to-people contacts.
He also lauded his role in increasing investment in Pakistan and promoting the welfare and well-being of the 1.6 million stable Pakistanis living in the UAE.
Qureshi also discussed the prospects for enhancing bilateral cooperation, especially in the areas of investment, tourism and related infrastructure, and strengthening ties between the two peoples.
Appreciating the strong foundation of Pak-UAE friendship laid by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Foreign Minister stressed the need to further strengthen the close bilateral relations.
The two ministers also discussed the importance of tolerance and coexistence in projecting the true image of Islam and Islamic society.
Qureshi highlighted the positive role of Pakistani migrants in the development of both countries. The UAE leadership thanked Sheikh Nahyan for his consideration of the issue of migrants, briefed Sheikh Nahyan on the issues facing the Pakistani community, especially on visa issues, and Urged to resolve as soon as possible.
Sheikh Nahyan acknowledged the positive contribution of Pakistani expatriates in the UAE's development and agreed on the need to strengthen people-to-people contacts.
The two Ministers discussed Expo 2020 Dubai in detail.
Praising a major mega event of its kind in the region, Foreign Minister Qureshi thanked the UAE for its support in setting up the Pakistan Pavilion at the Expo. Meanwhile, a memorandum of understanding for additional cross-border markets and related facilities will be signed during Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi's visit to Iran on Tuesday (today).
The purpose of the Foreign Minister's visit is to facilitate bilateral travel and tourism and to discuss foreign policy issues. In the next few days, the third border crossing will be towards Pakistan at Mand and towards Iran at Pishin.
Iranian Minister of Roads and Urban Development Mohammad Aslami will inaugurate the third terminal in Pishin Mand. The second border crossing was opened in Gwadar Ramadan in December last year.
For travel and trade purposes, Pakistan has had the only border crossing in Taftan and the Iranian side in Mirjavia for the past 70 years. The Commerce Ministers of the two countries had signed an MoU in July 2019 to start barter trade, which is not practical due to unavailability of payment methods by the State Bank of Pakistan.
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