ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) signed a series of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) on Monday aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and cooperation in various sectors, including culture, trade, and consular affairs.
The MoUs were signed in a ceremony attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar of Pakistan, and UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed al Nahyan. According to a statement from Pakistan’s Foreign Office, the agreements reflect the growing commitment of both countries to enhance their relationship across key sectors.
One of the MoUs, signed between the UAE Ministry of Culture and Pakistan’s Culture Division, seeks to promote greater cultural cooperation between the two nations. This agreement will pave the way for joint cultural initiatives, exchange programs, and collaborative efforts to preserve and promote the rich cultural heritage of both countries.
In addition to cultural cooperation, the two leaders also signed an MoU to establish a joint committee for consular affairs, aimed at streamlining and enhancing consular services for their citizens. This agreement will improve coordination in areas such as visa processing, legal assistance, and other consular services, ensuring better facilitation for Pakistani and UAE nationals.
The third MoU, focused on strengthening trade relations, saw the exchange of signed documents between the Federation of UAE Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI). This agreement aims to establish the UAE-Pakistan Joint Business Council, which will serve as a platform to foster trade relations, promote investment opportunities, and enhance economic collaboration between the two nations.
UAE Assistant Minister for Economic and Trade Affairs Saeed Mubarak Al Hajeri and FPCCI President Atif Ikram Sheikh were present to exchange the signed trade MoU. The council’s establishment is expected to provide new avenues for business cooperation and help unlock the full potential of the UAE-Pakistan economic relationship.
Earlier in the day, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar welcomed the UAE DPM/FM Sheikh Abdullah, highlighting the long-standing fraternal relationship between the two countries, rooted in shared commitments and mutual respect. Dar expressed Pakistan's desire to further strengthen bilateral ties for the benefit and welfare of both nations.
Sheikh Abdullah also expressed his appreciation for the warm hospitality extended to him during his visit. "Pakistan is a country close to our hearts in the UAE, and personally to me," he said, emphasizing that the leadership of both countries is committed to further deepening their strategic relationship.
