Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi says Pakistan is committed to forge closer cooperation with the United Arab Emirates in diverse fields.

This he stated during a meeting with UAE Minister of State Reem Al Hashimi on the sidelines of OIC Council of Foreign Ministers' meeting in Niger.

The Foreign Minister said Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates enjoy fraternal relations based on religious and cultural harmony.

During the meeting, they discussed matters of mutual interest including Pakistan's participation in Expo and exchanged views on bilateral cooperation on various issues.

It was agreed to enhance mutual exchanges to carry forward the process of growing bilateral cooperation.

While appreciating Foreign Minister's statement at the 47th CFM Session, the Emirati Minister of State lauded Pakistan's initiative to propose OIC resolution on combating Islamophobia.                               

The two sides stressed the importance of further strengthening of OIC as a united and pivotal platform for the Muslim Ummah.  

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi also held a meeting with his Niger Counterpart Kalla Ankouraou and stressed the need for expanding economic and commercial ties between the two countries.

Thanking Niger for its principled stance on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, the Foreign Minister apprised him about the worsening human rights situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

He particularly mentioned India's illegal and unilateral actions of 5 August last year, and subsequent steps to alter the demographic structure of the occupied territory, in violation of UNSC resolutions.

Somalian Minister of State Balal Mohammad Osman also called on Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi in Niger.

The two sides discussed a wide range of issues with a focus on Pakistan-Somalia relations and mutual support at multilateral fora.

The Foreign Minister said that Pakistan, under its "Engage Africa" initiative, attaches high importance to its relations with African countries.