ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Monday met Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE’s Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence and the Commissioner General for the EXPO 2020 Dubai, and called him a “true friend of Pakistan.”

Qureshi is on a three-day official visit to the United Arab Emirates. 

“Acknowledging Sheikh Nahyan’s contributions to bilateral relations between the two countries, the Foreign Minister termed him as a ‘True Friend of Pakistan’,” the foreign office said in a statement. “He appreciated the role played by Sheikh Nahyan in strengthening people to people linkages between the two countries, encouraging UAE’s investment in Pakistan and promoting the welfare and well-being of 1.6 million strong Pakistani Diaspora in the UAE.”

Qureshi discussed the prospects of enhancing bilateral cooperation in the fields of investment, tourism and infrastructure and strengthening people to people contacts between the two countries.

“Lauding the solid foundation of the Pakistan-UAE friendship laid down by His Highness Late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Foreign Minister stressed the need to nurture and further strengthen close bilateral ties,” the foreign office said. “The two Ministers also exchanged views on the importance of tolerance and coexistence in presenting the true image of Islam and the Islamic society.”

Foreign Minister Qureshi also highlighted the “positive role” played by the Pakistani expatriates in the development of both countries.

“Foreign Minister briefed Sheikh Nahyan about the issues faced by the Pakistani community, in particular the restrictions on visa-related matters,” the foreign office said. “He stressed the importance of resolving them at the earliest. Sheikh Nahyan acknowledged the positive contribution of the Pakistani expatriates to the UAE’s progress and agreed on the need to strengthen people to people linkages.”