Chinese, Russian ambassadors call on President Zardari

ISLAMABAD: Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong on Thursday called on President Asif Ali Zardari at Aiwan-e-Sadr.

The president and the Chinese ambassador discussed matters of mutual interest, besides underscoring the need to increase counter-terrorism cooperation and intelligence sharing to overcome the menace of terrorism.

President Zardari assured Ambassador Jiang that Pakistan would take all necessary measures to ensure the security of “our Chinese brothers”, who are working on different projects in Pakistan, the official news agency reported.

Meanwhile, President Zardari said that Pakistan desired to enhance bilateral cooperation with Russia, particularly in the fields of energy and barter trade.

The president, in a meeting with Russian Ambassador Albert P Khorev, who called on him, emphasised that Russian banks should be persuaded to launch their operations in Pakistan to promote bilateral trade.

He also called for strengthening cultural linkages between Pakistan and Russia, particularly in the fields of television and films industries.

President Zardari conveyed his message of felicitation to Russian President Vladimir Putin on his re-election and expressed good wishes for him.

He expressed the hope that under President Putin’s leadership, Russia would achieve swift development besides promoting regional peace.

He also expressed condolence over the death of 130 people in a terrorist attack that took place on March 22 in Moscow.

Ambassador Khorev told President Zardari that Russia desired to play its part in the economic development and prosperity of Pakistan and that both countries were cooperating on mutual issues like anti-terrorism and drugs trafficking.

The ambassador said that Russia desired to double the existing volume of bilateral trade with Pakistan.

He thanked President Zardari for expressing condolence over the deaths in March 22 terrorist attack in the Russian capital.

The envoy also felicitated Zardari on assuming the office of Pakistan’s president.