ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari held a telephone conversation with the Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation Sergei Lavrov on Wednesday, and had a useful exchange on bilateral matters and growing cooperation in diverse areas.
Talking to his Russian Counterpart, Bilawal Bhutto also renewed the invitation to him to visit Pakistan.
The two foreign ministers also discussed the Black Sea Grain Initiative (BSGI).
FM @BBhuttoZardari holds telephone conversation with Russian 🇷🇺 FM Sergei Lavarov @mfa_russia. They discussed bilateral matters and growing cooperation in diverse areas. Black Sea Grain Initiative (BSGI) was also discussed. pic.twitter.com/C0N9EusT3U
— Spokesperson 🇵🇰 MoFA (@ForeignOfficePk) July 26, 2023
Recognizing the importance of this initiative and its potential impact on disruption of global food supply chains causing food inflation and food-security-related challenges, Bilawal underscored the need for concerted efforts to find viable solutions that would in particular benefit developing countries already under economic strain.
Bilawal Bhutto expressed the hope that all parties involved in the BSGI would engage in constructive dialogue to revive the Initiative.
In this regard, the foreign minister reiterated Pakistan’s support for international efforts for restoring the deal by addressing the concerns of all sides.
The foreign minister informed his Russian Counterpart on his discussions on BSGI with the Foreign Ministers of Ukraine and Turkiye, the US Secretary of State and the EU High Representative.
The Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov shared Russia’s perspective on the issue.
The two foreign ministers agreed to remain in close contact on the matter.