Pakistan, Russian FMs discuss bilateral relations

MOSCOW: Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov held delegation level talks in Moscow and discussed an entire range of bilateral relations.

According to a Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement, both the foreign ministers discussed a host of topics with special focus on trade and economic relations, energy cooperation as well as regional and global issues of mutual interest.

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari was on a two-day visit to the Russian capital on the invitation of Sergey Lavrov.

According to the Foreign Office, noting the multidimensional cooperation between Pakistan and Russia, the two foreign ministers agreed to further enhance mutually beneficial cooperation in the areas of trade, energy, education, culture, security and counter-terrorism.

They also agreed on the importance of regular high-level exchanges for the mutual benefit of the two countries and peoples.

The two foreign ministers also discussed the regional situation, especially in Afghanistan.

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari apprised Lavrov on Pakistan’s efforts for a peaceful and stable Afghanistan. He briefed the Russian delegation on Pakistan’s perspective on stability and security in South Asia and gross human rights violations in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

The two sides also reviewed cooperation within various multilateral institutions including United Nations and Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

Addressing a joint press conference after their talks, Lavrov said Russia would cooperate fully to meet the energy needs of Pakistan.

According to a newspaper report, the Russian FM commended Pakistan for maintaining a neutral position in the Russian-Ukraine war and said the two countries would continue to cooperate in various fields.

He said progress was expected soon regarding the talks on construction of Pakistan Stream pipeline. “The issue is already at an advanced stage of consideration. I am confident that there will be progress in the near future,” the minister said.

Bilawal said he had a “fruitful” discussion with Lavrov regarding the energy sector, stressing that both countries wanted to enhance bilateral relations.

He also underscored the devastation caused to Pakistan’s economy and infrastructure by recent floods that affected millions of people in the country, adding “relations between Pakistan and Russia are important for bilateral and regional stability”.

“Pakistan attaches great importance to relations with Russia and wants to further promote relations,” Bilawal said, adding that the talks had proved fruitful and the nations would continue to talk on matters in all fields “in a friendly atmosphere”.