Pakistan‚ Russia agree to enhance Bilateral Cooperation

Khar and her Russian counterpart held in-depth discussion to work on new avenues to increase relations in various sectors

Pakistan and Russia have agreed to intensify efforts to strengthen their relations to the mutual advantage of the two countries. This was stated by Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar and her Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov following their formal delegation level talks in Islamabad on Thursday morning. Hina Rabbani Khar said there is broad national consensus in Pakistan in further strengthening and improving relations with the Russian Federation. She pointed out that this aspect is well-articulated in the parliamentary recommendations governing foreign policy of the country. The Foreign Minister said the two countries today had detailed discussions on bilateral relations both at economic and political planes. It is their vision that the economic projects which were contributed by Russia in 20th century must see 21st century with Russian collaboration. She pointed out that only recently the two countries signed three MoUs on expansion and modernization of Pakistan Steel Mills‚ cooperation in Railway sector and energy field. She said the two Foreign Ministers agreed that it will be useful opportunity for Presidents of the two countries to meet shortly. She said the political leadership of the two countries has the commitment and resolve to strengthen bilateral ties. She said today the two countries had an extensive review of the scope of cooperation within the economic framework Hina Rabbani Khar hoped that in the next few months the two sides will be able to move beyond MoUs and go to specific projects within these areas. She said there was convergence of views between the two countries on issues of regional and international importance. Replying to questions the Russian Foreign Minister opposed drone strikes against Pakistan and said violation of sovereignty and territorial integrity of any state is unacceptable. About postponement of the visit of President Putin to Pakistan‚ he said the Russian President has already conveyed to President Zardari that he was unable to visit Pakistan due to tough schedule. He has also expressed his desire to have meeting between the two Presidents at the earliest. On Afghanistan‚ he said any solution imposed from outside would not work. He said there should be national reconciliation and the process should be driven by Afghans themselves. To a question he said Russia was encouraged by confidence building measures between Pakistan and India. He said the two countries are capable of resolving their problems. The Russian Foreign Minister said his country supports President Zardari's proposed conference on drugs trafficking. He said Moscow also supports Pakistan's efforts to address the challenge of terrorism. To a question Foreign Minister Khar said drone attacks are not only counterproductive but also illegal and unlawful. She said there is need to find ways and means to counter terrorism within the legal means. He said drone strikes are also violation of Pakistan's sovereignty. Clarifying her remarks made in the United States about drone strikes‚ she said if the objective is to end terrorism than Pakistan supports that objective but ways and means to achieve this objective must be legal and lawful and must not be counter-productive.She said the Pakistan-Russia ties entered a "new era" of bilateral relations with the visit of President Asif Ali Zardari to Moscow. She said the country's parliament had given clear policy guidelines for further strengthening and improving ties between the two countries. Khar and her Russian counterpart who earlier discussed the whole range of bilateral relations covering the political and economic spheres said there was a consensus that the joint projects on which the two countries worked in the 20th century must see more collaboration in the 21st century.