Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq met with ambassadors of France, UAE and Sunday who called on him at the Parliament House, on Wednesday. Ayaz Sadiq said Pakistan attached great importance to its relations with France and both the countries hsf similar ideas on global and regional issues.

He said this while talking to Ambassador of France Marc Barety. The speaker expressed his satisfaction over the cordial relations between two countries, and suggested to enhance them through interaction between French and Pakistani parliamentarians. He said that Pakistan believed that peace and stability was essential for progress and prosperity in the region. He said that terrorism and extremism were the biggest threats to peace and stability and could be countered by closer cooperation among the stakeholders.

The ambassador of France thanked the speaker for his kind words and said that France also gave importance to Pakistan and would continue its support at regional and international forums. He said that France wanted to strengthen cooperation with Pakistan in all sectors of the economy. He agreed for enhancing parliamentary ties between legislatures of both the countries. Commending the role of Pakistan, he said that Pakistan had rendered great sacrifices in the war against terrorism.

While talking to the Ambassador of United Arab Emirates Hamad Obaid Ibrahim Salem Al-Zaabi, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq said that Pakistan and UAE enjoyed close fraternal relations which were deep rooted in shared history, culture, and heritage. Pakistani leadership and its people valued that bond of fraternity and looked forward to expand cooperation with UAE in diverse fields, he said.

He said that Pakistani leadership and its people acknowledged UAE’s contributions and cooperation for the development of Pakistan. He stressed upon the need to foster unity among the Muslim ummah for progress and prosperity. The speaker said that interaction between parliamentarians of both the countries could bring both the nations closer.

Reciprocating the sentiments, ambassador of UAE said that his country also attached immense importance to its relations with Pakistan and would keep on extending its support in the time of need. He said that his country would utilise huge economic potential in Pakistan for mutual benefit of both the nations.

Published in Daily Times, November 30^th 2017.