ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Chief of Defense Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir met UAE’s National Security Adviser Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi on Monday, during which the two sides discussed regional developments and bilateral economic and investment cooperation, the Pakistani military’s media wing said. 

The meeting took place as tensions surge between Washington and Tehran. Both nations renewed negotiations earlier this month to tackle their dispute over Tehran’s nuclear program. The talks take place as Washington deploys warships, including a second aircraft carrier, to the Middle East region as mediators work to prevent a war. 

Munir met Sheikh Tahnoon, who is also the deputy ruler of Abu Dhabi, in the UAE capital. The two sides discussed ways to strengthen cooperation in economic collaboration, trade and investment, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement. 

“They also exchanged views on regional developments and emphasized the importance of continued coordination to promote peace and stability in the region,” the ISPR said. 

Munir appreciated the UAE government for its longstanding investments and continued support to Pakistan’s economy over the decades, the military said. He noted that such support reflects the deep-rooted relations between the two countries. 

“Field Marshal Asim Munir further affirmed that the security and stability of the United Arab Emirates are an integral part of Pakistan’s own security, given the enduring historical relations and strong strategic partnership between the two countries,” the military’s media wing said. 

“He reiterated Pakistan’s firm commitment to continuing joint efforts to further strengthen this partnership in all fields, in a manner that serves the interests of both brotherly peoples and contributes to peace, stability and prosperity in the region.”

Pakistan enjoys close ties with the UAE, which along with other friendly nations, has provided Islamabad critical financial assistance over the past couple of years as it grapples with a macroeconomic crisis. 

Millions of Pakistanis live and work in the UAE, forming one of the largest expatriate communities in the Gulf state. Remittances from the UAE rank among Pakistan’s top sources of foreign currency inflows and play a significant role in supporting the country’s external accounts.

Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari last month went to the UAE on an official visit during which he met senior members of the government there as well as businesspersons to discuss bilateral trade, investment and security cooperation.