Abu Dhabi - "My close relationship with Pakistan started at a very young age, during my childhood."
Published: Sun 6 Jan 2019, 11:00 PM
Updated: Tue 8 Jan 2019, 9:44 AM
His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, posted an Instagram video of highlights from his Pakistan visit on Sunday.
The Crown Prince visited Pakistan with a high-level delegation, who were received by Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Khan personally drove the UAE royal to the PM house.
Sheikh Mohamed was given a red carpet welcome on his first visit to Islamabad since 2007 before being welcomed with a 21-gun salute and a guard of honour.
"My close relationship with Pakistan started at a very young age, during my childhood. And I'm lucky today to be in Pakistan in my first official foreign visit during 2019. My sincere wishes for success and prosperity to the government and people of Pakistan," Sheikh Mohamed said.
The leaders held talks focusing on strengthening the relations between the UAE and Pakistan, in addition to the current regional and international developments.
The visit confirms the UAE's support to Pakistan, allowing Khan's government to breathe a sigh of relief as it grapples with a Balance of Payments (BoP) crisis.
According to the Pakistani finance ministry, the two countries have finalised a $6.2 billion bailout package. It comprises $3.2 billion worth of oil supplies on deferred payment, on top of the $3 billion BoP support already announced late last year when Imran Khan visited the UAE.
Sheikh Mohamed affirmed his keenness to develop cooperation with Pakistan to serve the two countries' common interests.
In December, the UAE deposited $3 billion (equivalent to Dh11 billion) in the State Bank of Pakistan to support the bank's liquidity and foreign currency reserves.
He expressed optimism about the new generation leading Pakistan. "They provide chances at building hope and establishing prosperous foreign relations over years to come."
Prime Minister of Pakistan held a luncheon in honour of Sheikh Mohamed and his accompanying delegation.
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