ISLAMABAD: In separate phone calls with the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood discussed bilateral ties and ways to enhance collaboration, reaffirming his country’s commitment to both allies.
Pakistan enjoys close ties with both Saudi Arabia and UAE, home to millions of Pakistani expats.
During a telephone exchange, Qureshi and Saudi foreign minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud discussed bilateral ties and the situation in the region, Pakistan’s foreign office said in a statement.
“Foreign Minister Qureshi underlined that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have historic and deep-rooted fraternal ties which have stood the test of time,” the statement said. “He appreciated consistent support of the Kingdom to Pakistan, especially in hour of need, and steadfast solidarity on the Kashmir cause.”
Qureshi also reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for the “sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” while Price Faisal termed Pakistan a “close brotherly country.”
In a separate call with UAE foreign minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Qureshi discussed issues of mutual interest, including bilateral relations and the overall situation in the region.
“Millions of Pakistanis living in the UAE have been playing their role in building and developing the UAE for decades,” Qureshi said.
He also thanked the UAE foreign minister for taking special care of the Pakistani community during the coronavirus pandemic.
“Two Foreign Ministers agreed to promote bilateral cooperation in the economic and trade sectors,” a foreign office statement said.
