Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has stressed the need to nurture andfurther strengthen close bilateral ties between Pakistan and the UnitedArab Emirates (UAE).

He was talking to UAE’s Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence &Commissioner General of EXPO 2020 Dubai Nahyan Mabarak Al Nahyan in AbuDhabi on Monday.

The Foreign Minister discussed the prospects of enhancing bilateralcooperation, particular in the fields of investment, tourism and relatedinfrastructure and strengthening the bonds of amity between the peoples ofthe two countries.

The two ministers also exchanged views on the importance of tolerance andcoexistence in presenting the true image of Islam and the Islamic society.

Shah Mahmood Qureshi highlighted the positive role played by the Pakistaniexpatriates in the development of both countries.

Thanking the UAE’s leadership for their considerate approach towardsexpatriates, the Foreign Minister briefed Sheikh Nahyan about the issuesfaced by the Pakistani community, in particular the restrictions onvisa-related matters. He stressed the importance of resolving them at theearliest.

Sheikh Nahyan acknowledged the positive contribution of the Pakistaniexpatriates to the UAE’s progress and agreed on the need to strengthenpeople to people linkages.

The two ministers also exchanged views in detail on the EXPO 2020 Dubai.

Lauding the one-of-its-kind mega event in the region, Foreign MinisterQureshi thanked the UAE’s support in setting up the Pakistan Pavilion inthe EXPO.