Monitoring News Report
MANILA, July 22 (Monitoring Desk): Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held bilateral talks with Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Tuesday on the sidelines of ASEAN-related meetings in Manila, according to Russia’s state news agency RIA Novosti.
The meeting commenced with a handshake, with both ministers referring to each other as “dear friend” and underscoring the significance of their discussions in the Philippine capital.
According to the report, the latest contact between the two foreign ministers took place in April, when they held a telephone conversation on developments in the Persian Gulf region. The discussion also covered Pakistan’s mediating role in efforts aimed at facilitating sustainable understandings between Iran and the United States. During that conversation, Lavrov reaffirmed Russia’s readiness to support Islamabad’s diplomatic efforts.
Lavrov arrived in Manila on July 21 for a three-day visit. His schedule includes bilateral meetings as well as participation in Russia–ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meetings, the East Asia Summit (EAS) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) on security issues.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), established in 1967, currently comprises Brunei Darussalam, Timor-Leste, Vietnam, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, and the Philippines.
Source: RIA Novosti (Russia)
