F.P Report
ISLAMABAD: On Wednesday, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi had a meeting with Russian counterpart reaffirming cooperation in trade, energy sector and corona vaccination.
During a joint press conference, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov assured Pakistan of full assistance in diverse areas chiefly to meet the country’s requirements in energy, security equipment and supply of coronavirus vaccine.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi stated that both the signatories held substantive talks were on the early construction of the flagship North-South Gas Pipeline project between Karachi and Lahore.
Regarding the energy cooperation and energy deficit in Pakistan, Lavrov stated that to further support the energy-deficit Pakistan, Russia had offered delivery of Russian Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) through the Russian companies Gazprom and Novatek and was awaiting response from the partners in Pakistan.
Furthermore, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov also expressed contentment over the growth of bilateral trade by 46 percent and expressed readiness to further strengthen economic relations.
Lavrov also underlined that substantive growth of bilateral trade was mainly due to trade of over 200 million wheat to Pakistan, he added that “We want to make this increase sustainable and diversity our trade”.
He further highlighted that Pak-Russia Intergovernmental Commission to meet in Moscow the current year would be a key step in defining the sphere of cooperation in multiple areas.
Importantly, regarding the nuclear energy Lavrov remarked that Russia’s ROSATOM and Pakistan’s Nuclear Energy Commission were in touch for cooperation for use of technology for medicine and industry.
He also assured cooperation in for anti-terrorism capacity, he stated that Russia was ready to “strengthen Pakistan’s anti-terrorist capacity including supply of special equipment”.
“This serves in the interest of all States of the region,” Lavrov said, adding an agreement was today reached on conducting more joint military exercises including the Arabian Monsoon maritime drill.
Moving forward, during the meeting Lavrov also mentioned Pakistan’s performance in SCO saying that Since Pakistan’s accession to Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) three years ago, he said, the country was actively pursuing its anti-terrorist strategy.
Referring to Afghanistan Lavrov expressed concern over the worsening security situation in Afghanistan and the rise of terrorist activities in north and east of country, adding that
Russia and Pakistan agreed to “further facilitate the agreement among Afghan parties through inclusive political dialogue”.
Commenting on Pakistan-India ties, Russian Foreign Minister stated welcomed the efforts leading towards the normalization of relations between the two countries.
Mentioning Palestine issue, Russian Foreign Minister said that he favoured establishment of the State of Palestine, saying that “Russia stands to facilitate a direct dialogue between Israel and Palestine”.
On the other side, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi commented Pakistan was eager to build a strong multi-dimensional relationship with Russia, considering it a priority with a new significant approach.
He also welcomed Russian Foreign Minister for visiting Pakistan after a decade, saying that Pakistan regarded Russia an as significant factor in the stability of region.
Expressing his views on cooperation he said that the talks focused on strengthening cooperation in trade, energy, security and cooperation at United Nations and said, “In our cooperation, sky is the limit”.
Regarding energy needs, Qureshi underlined that Pakistan in view of its energy needs could greatly benefit from Russia, adding that the two countries had scope to cooperate within framework of Pak-Russia Security Dialogue and thanked the Russian foreign minister for acknowledging Pakistan’s role in anti-terrorism.
During the joint press conference, Foreign Minister Qureshi said that he also briefed his Russian counterpart the situation at Pakistan’s border with India and also expressed confidence that visit of Russian foreign minister would expand friendship and high-level contacts between the two countries.
Highlighting COVID-19 vaccination, Qureshi said that Pakistan had registered the Russian COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik in the country which was yielding good results.
Pakistan was looking forward for the Russian collaboration for local production of vaccine, Foreign Minister Qureshi stated. Upon this Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov announced that Russia will provide 50,000 doses to Pakistan and intended to supply more 150,000 doses.
