Akhir 1432 H. / 08 March 2011, SPA -- Abu Dhabi hosted today the first joint ministerial meeting for strategic dialogue between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who is the current chairman of the Ministerial Council headed the GCC side while the Pakistani side was headed by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ms. Hina Rabbani Khar. The meeting discussed a number of topics that come within the framework of the strategic dialogue between the GCC and the Republic of Pakistan and reviewed the relations between the two sides with the aim of further developing them in light of a number of political issues of common concern. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan stressed that the GCC countries will stand beside Pakistan to help it overcome its difficult situations. He also urged the international community to support efforts in the fight against terrorism and extremism. GCC Secretary General Abdulrahman bin Hamad Al-Attiyah said that the relations between GCC member states and Pakistan are based on friendship and deep bonds. These relations have reflected the mutual desire to translate them into practical programs to strengthen cooperation in various fields, he added.
