Pakistan,
Russia aim to expand trade, defence ties
By Asghar Ali Mubarak
ISLAMABAD—Pakistan and Russia Thursday agreed to further expand the
cooperation in various fields including trade, economic, oil and gas and
defence. Foreign Minister of both the countries met here at the Foreign
Office and reviewed bilateral relations and discussed enhancement of
cooperation in a number of areas.
Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri and his Russian counterpart
Sergey Lavrov talking to newsmen following the meeting said they
discussed regional and international issues of mutual interest. He said
during the meeting they also discussed the issues including
Pakistan-India relations and the composite dialogue for resolution of
core issues including Kashmir dispute, war against terror, Central Asia,
Afghanistan, Middle East process, Iraq, Iran etc.
Sergey Lavrov said both the countries have agreed to launch the
mechanism to activate Pakistan-Russia Joint Governmental Commission to
promote economic and trade relations. The Russian Foreign Minister said
both the countries have also agreed that the Commission should meet
regularly to review the ongoing projects and issues and explore
possibility for further avenues of cooperation.
The Foreign Minister said the bilateral trade has more than doubled last
year to over $ 500 million. He said the visits of Trade delegation from
Pakistan to Russia and economic delegation from Russia to Pakistan in
September 2006 have helped identify specific areas of cooperation and
both sides are keen to follow up on that. Kasuri said Pakistan and
Russian Federation enjoy friendly and cooperative relations, based on a
common desire to promote peace, prosperity and stability in their
respective regions, and the world. He also thanked the Russian
government for its prompt and substantial assistance provided for the
victims of 8th October earthquake.
Kasuri said, “We had constructive and fruitful discussions” adding that
“We consider Russia as an engine for increased economic growth and a
factor of peace and stability in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)
region and it is satisfying to see the steady growth in the
multi-dimensional relationship.”
The Foreign Minister said bilateral contact has increased substantially
and the Joint Working Groups on bilateral cooperation, strategic
stability and counter terrorism met early this year. Pakistan-Russia
Friendship Group has been established in the Russian State Duma
(National Assembly), he added.
Kasuri said excellent opportunities for joint collaboration between
Pakistan and Russia exist in sectors including upstream and downstream
projects in Oil and Gas, expansion of Railways, construction of coal
thermal and hydel power generating stations.
“We also welcome Russia’s strong political and economic interest in
Iran-Pakistan-India (IPI) gas pipeline and are considering Russian
participation in the project,” said Kasuri. The Foreign Minister said
all these positive steps have generated momentum for a more interactive
relationship adding that Pakistan is looking forward to President
Putin’s visit to Pakistan in the near future. |
