ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari arrived in Abu Dhabi on Monday evening for a four-day official visit to the United Arab Emirates aimed at reviewing bilateral cooperation in trade, economy, and security, Pakistan’s presidency said.
The visit, scheduled to run until Jan. 29, will include meetings with senior UAE leaders to discuss a broad range of bilateral issues.
According to a presidential statement, the talks will cover trade, economic partnership, defense and security cooperation, as well as measures to strengthen people-to-people ties.
Pakistan’s foreign ministry said earlier that President Zardari will also exchange views with UAE officials on regional and global developments, as both countries navigate evolving geopolitical and economic dynamics in the Middle East and South Asia.
Pakistan and the UAE share close political and economic relations, with Abu Dhabi having supported Islamabad during periods of financial stress through deposits, oil facilities, and investment commitments.
The UAE is Pakistan’s third-largest trading partner, after China and the United States, and a major destination for Pakistani exports, including food products, textiles, and construction services.
More than 1.5 million Pakistanis live in the UAE, making it one of the largest overseas Pakistani communities. Their remittances contribute billions of dollars annually and remain a vital source of foreign exchange for Pakistan.
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In addition to trade and labor ties, the two countries have expanded defense and security cooperation over the years, including military training, joint exercises, counterterrorism collaboration, and coordination on regional security issues.
