ISLAMABAD, AUG 16 (DNA) – President Mamnoon Hussain Wednesday said Pakistan accords priority to its ties with the United Arab Emirates and said there was a need to further the legacy of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan in this regard.

Talking to outgoing Ambassador of UAE Essa Abdullah Al Basha Al-Noaimi who called on him here at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, he said Pakistan was the biggest target of terrorism in the region but by the grace of Almighty Allah this menace had been largely overcome.

He hoped that it would speed up economic activity in the country.

The president said strong Pakistan-UAE ties were a result of the vision of founder of UAE Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and emphasized the need to further enhance bilateral relations by seeking guidance from his vision.

He said Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan was a sincere friend of Pakistan and noted with pleasure that his successor Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan was further bringing the two countries closer to each other by following in his footsteps.

Commending the services of the outgoing ambassador, the president said he had worked for further deepening the relations between the two countries.

He hoped that his successor would also work on the same lines. He conveyed his goodwill message and best wishes for the leadership of UAE.

He appreciated that both countries were cooperating with each other in different areas and called for further enhancing this cooperation to benefit from the capability and expertise of each other.=DNA

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