Pakistani President: relations with UAE outstanding, built on historic, cultural, religious ties

posted on 04/12/2009: 67 views

Pakistani President Asef Ali Zardari termed the relations between the UAE and Pakistan as "outstanding historic and based on cultural, religious and historical ties", expressing admiration of the UAE's achievements and multi-faceted march of development.

In an interview with WAM, Zardari noted that UAE-Pakistan diplomatic relations started in mid sixties of the 20th century even before the independence of the UAE, thanks to the Late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al-Nahyan, the founding father of the nation and the former Pakistani leader Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.

Pakistan, he noted, was the first country to establish a diplomatic mission in the UAE after December 2, 1971, when it already had a trade representative office in the UAE.

Speaking on the opportunities for expanding and furthering cooperation on technical and labour matters, Zardari noted that around one million Pakistani nationals live in the UAE and work in different sectors such as banking, farming, construction and services.

He noted that the Pakistani people and government played a part in building the UAE's institutions such as the armed forces, education, municipal services and banks. The UAE, likewise, is currently, under the prudent and enlightened leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, is playing an outstanding role in building the economic and social institutions of Pakistan.

Zardari noted that the UAE is the biggest foreign investor in his country, citing PAK ARAB REFINERY LTD (PARCO), a Joint Venture between Government of Pakistan and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, and one of the largest companies in the Pakistani corporate sector and the Sheikh Zayed Hospital in Lahore. Other Pakistani sectors which receive UAE's investments include oil refining, banking, telecommunications, banking and real estates, according to Zardari.

With US$ 7 billion of trade with Pakistan, the UAE ranks as Pakistan's second largest trade partner after the USA.

"With a population of 170 million, Pakistan is a significant source of skilled and labour and expertise that are necessary for modern industries in the UAE," he added.

Zardari said that during his term as president of Pakistan, he is "making efforts to transform the UAE-based Pakistani workers into skilled and specialized workforce." He further expressed heartfelt congratulations to the UAE on its 38th anniversary of the National Day, hailing the country's achievements made in areas such as economy, environmental preservation as well as its initiatives for renewable and clean energy. He also noted the UAE's success in hosting the headquarters of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) in Abu Dhabi, which he said is a source of pride for Pakistan.

"Pakistan supports the UAE's bid to acquire civilian nuclear energy, which is in harmony with IRENA's regulations to meet the increasing demands of its growing economy and population," Zardari said.

He also welcomed the UAE's steps towards building its first nuclear reactor to meet the demands of the unprecedented growth and diversify its energy resources. – Emirates News Agency, WAM

UAE donates US$2.5 million to UNRWA, emphasizes backing to Palestinians

The UAE has donated US$ 2.5 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) upon directions from President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The donation, which goes to UNRWA's budget, stresses the UAE Government's unwavering and continuous support to the Palestinian people and to efforts to alleviate their suffering and provide dignified life for them.

Last night, the UAE has paid its share -US$ 1million- of UNRWA's fund.

Member of the UAE delegation to the 64th session of the United Nations' General Assembly, Hamda Rashid Al-Habsi, expressed the UAE's thanks to UNRWA Commissioner-General and staff for their efforts to improve the conditions of Palestinian refugees in the occupied lands and diaspora.

He further emphasized the UAE's political and material backing for Palestinian refugees who he said are an integral part of the Palestinian issue.

Al-Habsi renewed the UAE's call for a comprehensive, just and lasting solution that, based on UN Resolution No. 194, include the right of refugees to exercise their legitimate and unconditional return to their homes as well as their right to receiving compensations for the moral, financial and material loss they sustained during the long years of living in diaspora.

The UAE further urged the international community, donors and relevant financial and economic bodies to increase their regular and irregular financial support for UNRWA to "enable it to meet the increasingly urgent and basic humanitarian, social, health and educational needs of the Palestinian refugees in recent years due to the excessive Israeli aggression and intentional destruction of their camps, villages and national institutions." – Emirates News Agency, WAM

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