MOSCOW, Russia: The Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has underscored that Pakistan considers Russia an important partner and aims to forge a long-term and multi-dimensional partnership with Russia.
His remarks came in a meeting with the Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov held in Moscow on Thursday on the sidelines of the Meeting of the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers.
During the meeting, the two sides discussed matters of mutual interest including the COVID-19 situation, prospects of enhanced bilateral cooperation, regional issues, and cooperation at multilateral fora.
They also exchanged views on further strengthening trade and economic cooperation including in the field of energy.
The Russian foreign minister welcomed Pakistan’s participation in the forthcoming Kavkaz Military Exercise scheduled to be held in Russia later this month.
🇵🇰 🇷🇺 relations today are marked by warmth, trust & shared interests in regional peace/development as manifest in great meeting w/ FM Lavrov. With major investments in pipeline anticipated, together we chart out a strong future for a multi dimensional Pakistan-Russia partnership pic.twitter.com/TUNe7ucoEv
— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) September 10, 2020
The two foreign ministers also discussed the situation in Afghanistan in the context of the recent positive developments.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi highlighted Pakistan’s positive contribution to the efforts for the Afghan peace and reconciliation process and reaffirmed support for an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process.
On Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), Qureshi shared deep concerns over the grave human rights and humanitarian situation as well as the Indian attempts to change the demographic structure of the occupied territory.
The foreign minister underlined the urgent necessity of addressing the grave situation in IIOJK.
Qureshi extended an invitation to his Russian Counterpart Sergey Lavrov to visit Pakistan which he gladly accepted.
The two foreign ministers agreed to remain in close contact and pursue enhanced cooperation in all spheres of common interest.
