ABU DHABI — Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, crown prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and Pakistani Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, discussed advancing the longstanding relations between the two nations.

They also discussed the prospects of propelling cooperation on various fronts as well as reviewed a number of regional and international issues of common concern.

Sheikh Mohamed met at Qasr Al Shati' Palace Saturday with the Pakistani leader and wished him success in leading Pakistan towards further progress and prosperity over the coming period.

The two leaders exchanged greetings on the advent of Eid Al-Fitr and wished progress and development to the Islamic world and all nations of the world.

Sheikh Mohamed emphasized on the historical relations between the two nations and the valuable contributions made by the Pakistani community in the UAE to the country's successful development drive.

He wished for permanent stability to prevail for the benefit of all peoples of the region, stressing UAE's support for all steps conducive to achieving peace and cooperation in the region and the whole world.

The Pakistani prime minister thanked Sheikh Mohamed for the warm reception and congratulations on assuming the office of Prime Minister, commending the UAE's great support for his country in the development field.

He stressed his keenness to strengthen relations with the United Arab Emirates in various fields, and to exchange views on the latest developments in the region and the world.

Earlier, before his departure to the UAE from Saudi Arabia, Sharif had met with the Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Hissein Brahim Taha in Makkah.

At the meeting, discussions centered on the situation in the Muslim world and issues on the OIC agenda, in particular the situations of Palestine, Afghanistan, Jammu and Kashmir and the issue of Islamophobia. The two sides underscored the necessity to enhance cooperation among the Member States to defend the causes of the Islamic Ummah.

The meeting also discussed cooperation between the OIC and Pakistan in light of Pakistan as the current Chair of the Council of Foreign Ministers. The Secretary-General reiterated the readiness of the OIC General Secretariat to support Pakistan in the implementation of the resolutions adopted at the 48th session of the Council of Foreign Ministers held in Islamabad from March 22-23, 2022.

The prime minister expressed his appreciation to the Secretary-General for his support and stressed the importance attached by Pakistan to advancing Joint Islamic Action. — Agencies