Pakistan on Monday sought to further cement agreements for importing energy products, including oil and gas from Russia apart from enhancing bilateral cooperation.
This was stated during a joint press conference between Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and his Russian Counterpart Sergey Lavrov in Moscow on Monday.
The press conference came after both sides deliberated upon the entire spectrum of bilateral relations and exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest.
Responding to a question, Lavrov said that Pakistan was seeking to help its people in approaching Russia for energy products.
However, he said that the US and its western partners have had a less than ideal behavior even though they had promised not to interfere in Russia’s energy ties.
In response to a question, Lavrov confirmed that relevant officials from both sides were speaking about the resumption of direct flights.
Ukraine conflict
Earlier, during the press conference, Bilawal called for the resolution of the Ukraine conflict through diplomatic means, saying that developing countries like Pakistan were facing consequences in terms of its economic impact.
“We have a firm belief that all conflicts can be resolved peacefully and there are no obstacles which diplomacy cannot surmount. Ukraine conflict is no exception,” the foreign minister said addressing the joint press conference in Moscow.
He expressed that hope that the “strong tradition of diplomacy of Russia would help achieve the peaceful resolution of the conflict.”
He said Pakistan valued its cooperation with Russia, the United States, and Europe and that the country consistently called for dialogue and peaceful resolution of disputes.
Bilateral ties
The foreign minister said that Pakistan considered Russia an important player in West, South and Central Asia and that the country would keep up high-level contact with the Russian Federation.
Apprising the media of their meeting, Foreign Minister Bilawal said that their “friendly” and “detailed” discussion encompassed all aspects of bilateral relations and regional matters.
He said both countries were celebrating the 75th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations and that Pakistan desired to strengthen its cooperation with Russia in the fields of trade, security, defence, counter-terrorism, education and people-to-people contacts.
Foreign Minister Bilawal told the media that Pakistan and Russia had “good cooperation” on Afghanistan and wanted to achieve common goals of peace and stability in the war-torn country.
In his remarks, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Russia was satisfied over its military cooperation with Pakistan and that both countries were holding regular military contacts including joint exercises and military training.
Energy ties
To a question on Pak-Russia energy cooperation, the foreign minister said the incumbent government was committed to coping with the country’s energy needs.
Afghanistan
Foreign Minister Bilawal told the media that Pakistan and Russia had “good cooperation” on Afghanistan and wanted to achieve common goals of peace and stability in the war-torn country.
Lavrov said the elimination of terrorism from the region was directly linked with Afghanistan they had agreed to use the capacities of SCO, particularly its contact group on Afghanistan for the purpose.
The Russian foreign minister condemned the terrorist attack in Peshawar mosque earlier on the day, and called for global cooperation for the elimination of terrorism.
