Pakistan, Russia vow to enhance bilateral ties

Pakistan and Russia on Thursday agreed to intensify efforts to strengthen their bilateral relations, pledging to explore new avenues to increase relations in various sectors.

Addressing a joint press conference with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar has said that every Pakistani wanted the country’s relations with Russia to be strengthened, expressing hope that the heads of two countries would soon meet.

Earlier, the two foreign ministers held talks on regional and global challenges confronting both countries.

Khar said, “The Russian foreign minister’s visit is significant for the prospects of regional peace and security. Russia in the past had played a significant role in Pakistan’s development.”

She continued that the two countries had detailed discussions on bilateral relations both at economic and political planes, pointing out that only recently the two countries signed three MoUs on expansion and modernization of Pakistan Steel Mills‚ cooperation in Railway sector and energy field.

Khar was of the opinion that there was convergence of views between the two countries on issues of regional and international importance.

The Russian Foreign Minister while addressing the presser said the ties between the two states were crucial in the light of the current regional and global situation.

He stated, “The two countries had agreed on increasing cooperation in several areas, including the political and economic sectors.”

Lavrov was invited by Khar earlier this year, but dates for his trip had to be pulled up after Putin opted against travelling to Islamabad for bilateral meetings and a quadrilateral summit on Afghanistan.

Lavrov’s visit comes as Army Chief Gen Ashfaq Pervez Kayani flew to Russia for consolidating progress in defence cooperation.

Kayani would be holding discussions with Russian leaders on furthering bilateral cooperation, particularly in the field of defence.

Visits of officials from the two countries may help in consolidating a relationship but in the world of diplomacy long-term convergences sustain ties.

Russia and Pakistan have convergence of views on Afghanistan, regional stability and counter-narcotics efforts.

Russia additionally sees Pakistan as a country playing an important role in countering terrorism and achievement of its vision of regional connectivity.

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Posted by Faisal Farooq on Oct 4 2012. Filed under Latest News, National, Pakistan. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.