Pakistan, UAE Pledge to enhance Economic Ties
By Sarah Kamal 'Pakistan Times' Special Correspondent

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz Monday said that Pakistan, situated at the confluence of three important regions of Asia, is using its unique geo-strategic location to promote economic cooperation and acting as an anchor of peace and stability in the region.

He was talking to Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Foreign Minister of UAE, who called on him here. The Prime Minister said Pakistan values its relations with UAE and is keen to further expand cooperation in all fields, especially in economic, commercial, investment, manpower, energy and defence sectors.

He appreciated the continued interest of UAE investors in Pakistan and said Gwadar Port provides another opportunity to the UAE investors.

The Prime Minister said volume of trade between the two countries is encouraging but still there is need to expand it further.

He also emphasized the need to expedite Free Trade Agreement between Pakistan and GCC. He said that the attractive demographics of Pakistan have created growing economic opportunities.

The Prime Minister appreciated the tremendous wisdom and intellect of Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan and said his vision contributed to the development of UAE as well as in building close ties between Pakistan and UAE.

Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the foreign minister of UAE, said the people and government of UAE consider Pakistan their second home and want to see development and prosperity in Pakistan.

"We consider well being of Pakistan as part of our own well being" Sheikh Abdullah said.

He said UAE holds the leadership of Pakistan in high esteem. He appreciated that relations between the two countries were growing rapidly.

Bilateral ties, regional and international issues, defence and security matters came under discussion.

With India, the Prime Minister said, Pakistan is committed to the process of composite dialogue for the resolution of all outstanding disputes.

The Prime Minister said early resolution of the Kashmir issue in line with the wishes and aspirations of the people of Kashmir will ensure sustainable peace in the region and help South Asia leverage its true potential.

"A just resolution of the Kashmir issue in line with the wishes of the people of Kashmir will change the destiny of one billion people of South Asia", the Prime Minister said.

He said the peace process is moving forward and some progress has been made on the CBMs.

Talking of the country's defence policy the Prime Minister said Pakistan is a peaceful country and has no aggressive designs against any country. The defence policy is based on the philosophy of having minimum credible deterrence to safeguard sovereignty and territorial integrity and to maintain balance of power in the region, he added.

The Prime Minister said stability in Afghanistan is of vital interest to Pakistan and Pakistan wants to see peace and stability there. The two countries have a common cause to fight extremism, he added.

He said Pakistan has increased security on the Pak-Afghanistan border to keep a check on the illegal cross border movement. He expressed concern over growing drugs production in Afghanistan and the nexus between global terrorism and drug trafficking.

Talking of Middle East, the Prime Minister said Pakistan is deeply concerned over the deteriorating situation in the Middle East and feels the international community especially Muslim world need to make focused efforts for an early resolution of festering disputes in the Middle East.

About Iran, the Prime Minister said Pakistan is expanding bilateral trade and finalizing plans to buy electricity and gas from Iran.

On the Iranian nuclear issue the Prime Minister said Pakistan believes that it should be resolved using diplomatic channels. He said Pakistan is against nuclear proliferation. However, it accepts Iran's right to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes under the IAEA safeguards.

The Prime Minister said hard working and law abiding Pakistani community has been making valuable contributions to the economic development of the UAE.

The government is focusing on imparting skills training to the people and a sufficient base of trained and educated manpower has been developed who can meet the specific manpower demands of UAE.

Talking of economic growth, the Prime Minister said Pakistan of today and tomorrow is different from Pakistan of yesterday.

Pakistan has come out of the low growth, low investment syndrome and today it is among one of the fast growing economies of Asia.

Sheikh Abdullah appreciated the high growth and economic development taking place in Pakistan and expressed the desire to increase economic cooperation with Pakistan.

He said the government and private sector of UAE will continue to invest in Pakistan and benefit from Pakistan's growing economic potential. He said the world recognizes the positive economic climate in Pakistan, which has created investment opportunities for local and foreign investors.

The meeting was attended, among others, by Minister for Foreign Affairs Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri, Minister of State for Finance Omar Ayub and senior officials.●