DUSHANBE, Tajikistan: The Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has said that relations with Russia are one of the key priorities of Pakistan’s foreign policy.
In a meeting with the Foreign Minister of Russia Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Heads of State meeting in Dushanbe on Thursday, Qureshi said that Pakistan is committed to furthering cooperation with Russia in trade, investment, energy, defence, and people-to-people exchanges as well as collaboration at multilateral and regional fora including the SCO.
Great to meet Foreign Minister #SergeyLavrov on the sidelines of the #20SCOSummit. Pakistan is committed to furthering cooperation with #Russia in trade, investment, energy, defence and people-to-people exchanges as well as collaboration at multilateral and regional fora. pic.twitter.com/YOuZrL6bz8
— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) September 16, 2021
The foreign minister further said that strengthening trade and investment relations and cooperation in the energy sector are the cornerstones of engagement with Russia.
In this context, Pakistan looks forward to holding of Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade and Investment in Russia later during the year.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi also reaffirmed the government’s resolve for the early realization of the Pakistan Stream Gas Pipeline Project.
Qureshi thanked Sergey Lavrov for enhancing scholarships for Pakistani students in academic institutions in Russia.
In addition, Qureshi underscored the importance of peace and stability in Afghanistan for regional security and prosperity. He emphasized the urgent need for the promotion of humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan in order to address the food and medicine shortage in the Country.
The foreign minister underlined the need for the international community to remain engaged in Afghanistan.
