ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood on Thursday telephoned his Saudi and United Arab Emirates counterparts and discussed bilateral relations and ways to enhance collaboration, reaffirming Pakistan's commitment to both allies.

Islamabad enjoys close ties with both Riyadh and Abu Dhabi, home to millions of Pakistani expatriates, said the foreign minister during his separate telephone conversations with the foreign ministers of two countries.

A statement issued by the Foreign Office said Qureshi and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud discussed bilateral ties and the situation in the region.

"Qureshi underlined that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have historic and deep-rooted fraternal ties which have stood the test of time," the statement said. "He appreciated consistent support of the Kingdom to Pakistan, especially in [the] hour of need, and steadfast solidarity on the Kashmir cause."

Qureshi also reaffirmed the country's support for the "sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia," while Price Faisal termed Pakistan a "close brotherly country."

In a separate call with UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahyan, Qureshi discussed issues of mutual interest, including bilateral relations and the overall situation in the region. "Millions of Pakistanis living in the UAE have been playing their role in building and developing the UAE for decades," he said.

Qureshi also thanked his UAE counterpart for taking special care of the Pakistani community during the coronavirus pandemic. "Two foreign ministers agreed to promote bilateral cooperation in the economic and trade sectors," the Foreign Office statement said.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020