ISLAMABAD – Pakistan and Russia aim to bolster the bilateral ties to new heights, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said yesterday after receiving his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov here.
The two countries plan to enhance cooperation trade and defence sectors amid the growing closeness.
FM Qureshi said the talks today (April 7) would focus on strengthening economic, trade and defence ties.
He said Pakistan would welcome if Russia made an investment for the revival of Pakistan Steels Mills or other projects.
“The PSM was set up with the technical and financial help of Russia and now its role in the revival of the entity could open up several opportunities to strengthen bilateral cooperation,” Qureshi said in a video statement. The PSM was closed in 2015 due to heavy financial losses. The foreign minister said that the visit of a Russian Foreign Minister to Pakistan after nine years reflected a “new and positive dimension” of bilateral relations.
He said Pakistan and Russia were ready to cooperate with each other as their bilateral relations improved with time.
Pakistan, Russia to bolster defence, economic ties
He also said that Russia was an important country in the region and expressed confidence that the talks would yield good results in fortifying bilateral ties.
The FM said both countries wanted to carry out work on North-South gas pipeline project. He recalled that during the flour crisis in Pakistan, Russia ensured supply of wheat so as to help stabilize the price of the commodity.
Qureshi said Pakistan and Russia were working together in the Afghan peace process. The Russian foreign minister could persuade India to play a positive role in bringing peace to Afghanistan.
He said the Russian foreign minister would meet Prime Minister Imran Khan and army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa would also participate in delegation-level talks at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Earlier, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov arrived here on a two-day official visit to Pakistan to hold talks for further deepening multi-faceted bilateral relations and cooperation between Islamabad and Moscow.
The Russian Foreign Minister upon arrival at the airport was received by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Russia Shafqat Ali Khan and senior foreign ministry officials.
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and his Russian counterpart will lead their respective delegations at the bilateral talks to be held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today.
During the two-day (April 6-7) official visit, the Russian Foreign Minister will also call on Prime Minister Imran Khan and have interaction with other dignitaries.
Pakistan and Russia enjoy friendly and cooperative relations based on mutual respect, trust and understanding. Bilateral cooperation is growing across a wide range of areas of common interest including in security and defence, counter-terrorism, and the Afghan peace process, said a foreign ministry statement.
Over the recent past, deepening collaboration in economic, trade and energy sectors has been the focus of the two governments. The visit of Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will contribute to further deepening of the multifaceted bilateral relationship and enhancing mutual understanding on regional and global issues, it said.
A Russian foreign ministry statement before FM Lavrov’s arrival said: “On 6-7 April, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov will pay a working visit to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. He is planned to hold talks with Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, as well as meetings with the country’s top political and military leadership.”
It added: “The parties plan to discuss the current state and prospects for the development of bilateral relations with an emphasis on cooperation in the trade, economic and counter-terrorism fields, exchange views on topical issues of the international and regional agenda.”
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