CPEC’s Gwadar Port will connect Middle East with Afghanistan and Central Asia: FM Qureshi
Islamabad: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said that China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)’s Gwadar Port will connect the Middle East with Afghanistan and then Central Asia.
Addressing the 50th National Day of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) here, the FM mentioned the fast pace of projects under the CPEC.
“With the operationalization of the Gwadar Port, Pakistan is ready to connect the Middle East with Afghanistan and then Central Asia which would ultimately uplift the people of the region,” he remarked.
The FM said the CPEC was equally beneficial for all the countries of the region and will play a huge role to boost the regional economy.
Qureshi noted that Pakistan’s economic ties with the UAE were strengthening, with a trade volume of over US $ 8 billion, making it the biggest trade partner in the Middle East and Northern Africa.
“The economic and trade ties are the cornerstone of the bilateral ties. The UAE is also considered among the biggest foreign investors in Pakistan,” he added.
Felicitating the UAE leadership on behalf of Pakistan’s leadership, Qureshi observed that the bilateral relations were bound in common heritage and multi-sphere cooperation.
Giving credit of UAE’s huge development to its Founder Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan’s far sightedness, the FM mentioned that Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan had great affection for Pakistan and also took interest in numerous economic and social projects.
Moreover, the incumbent UAE leader was also following the golden principles of the founding leader and was striving for strengthening relations with Pakistan, FM Qureshi underscored.
The FM stressed that Pakistan-UAE relations improved during Prime Minister Imran Khan’s government and the frequent highest level exchange also helped to widen the cooperation.
Qureshi also congratulated the UAE’s election to the UN Security Council for 2022-23 as well as the successful holding of the Expo 2020.
