Daily Times

On the auspicious occasion of the 47th National Day of the United Arab Emirates, I extend on behalf of the UAE leadership and its people my thanks and gratitude to the leadership and the people of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan for their messages of felicitations and sharing our celebrations .

Today, 2nd December, 2018 marks the 47th anniversary of the Founding of the Federation of the United Arab Emirates by the founder (late) Shiekh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan .

During this year, the Emirates witnessed steady evolution in the economic and trade sectors sustained under the leadership of the President H.H. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Vice President, Prime Minister H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in making substantial progress in the economic and social development and has continued to play a vital role in the regional and international affairs.

The UAE adopted an active approach to diplomacy, with a marked openness to the outside world, establishing an extensive network of relations with various countries around the world, essentially based on the respect for the principles and charters of the United Nations and the international community, foremost of which are democracy and human rights, and non-interference in other countries’ internal affairs. One of the most salient indicators of the success of UAE diplomacy is the strength of the UAE passport, which in recent years has achieved consecutive leaps.

In 2018, it ranked third in the world according to the World Passport Index, reaching 163 countries visa-free.

Furthermore, UAE ranked 1st on Arab and 20th on global level in Happiness index …….

1st in Rule of Law in the MENA region

5th in Safety Index globally

20th in Government Effectiveness globally

o 2 UAE seaports rank among the top 50 world container ports with Jebel Ali Port ranking 9th globally & 1st in Middle East & Africa”.

The most significant thing to say is that the UAE is emerging as regional leader in promoting the innovation, tolerance and happiness

Dubai Expo 2020 is one of the most important achievements under way. The exhibition is an effective implementation of international cooperation policies and plays a central role in expanding and bolstering bilateral and multilateral relations. The exhibition is expected to host more than 200 participating countries. It will contribute to strengthening cultural understanding and nurturing cultural dialogue between nations, while changing the prevailing perceptions on the region. Dubai Expo 2020 will position the UAE as a cradle of emerging technology, an incubator for SMEs and entrepreneurs in the region.

UAE and Pakistan enjoy a unique friendship that withstood various tests and the scope of our cooperation kept expanding with the passage of time covering various fields.

I have tried since my assignment as head of this mission to give an impetus to the bilateral relations which was established by none other than His Highness Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding father of the UAE, based on deeply rooted in strong political, religious, cultural and economic links.

Since then, the bilateral relations have been sustained, the two countries witnessed high level exchanges, the most prominent is the twice visit of H.E. Imran Khan the Prime Minister of Pakistan to UAE in last two months where the leaderships of both countries resolved to further intensify and strengthen the wide raging and mutually beneficial relations between Pakistan and the UAE.

In view of the conducive investment environment in Pakistan it is a matter of pride that the UAE’ Public and private corporations and companies are actively engaged making investment in various areas, in this regard a high-level delegation comprising 22 members from CEOs and Managing Directors of prominent UAE Companies visited Islamic Republic of Pakistan in October to explore other areas of investment and trade partnership specially in the field of energy, agriculture, oil refineries and other sectors.

Derived from UAE’s commitment toward the humanitarian development assistance, the UAE Pakistan Assistance Program signed the agreement for third phase of its program to implement humanitarian and developmental projects in Baluchistan and KPK provinces with the financial support worth US $ 200 Million Dollars, this came in addition to 165 completed projects for economic and human development in Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa and FATA covering sectors of health, education, infrastructure.

I trust that Pakistan under the courageous leadership will continue its journey towards peace, social and economic development, I am confident that under the joint efforts of the leaderships of both countries, the relations will continue to keep pace with the time.

I wish Pakistan all the success with renewed commitment of cooperation and support.

Pak-UAE Friendship Zindabad

Published in Daily Times, December 2^nd 2018.