Monday, January 30, 2023
Editorial: #Pakistan - #Peshawar Blast ...
https://www.nation.com.pk/31-Jan-2023/peshawar-blasti
Russia, Pakistan discuss resuming direct flights — Lavrov
"The aviation authorities of Russia and Pakistan discuss such possibility, the commercial component here is also very important - these issues are under consideration," Lavrov said.
Russia and Pakistan stopped regular flights with other countries due to restrictions imposed in connection with the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020. In 2021, the Pakistani authorities said that the resumption of direct flights between Russia and Pakistan could help develop relations.
Lavrov said earlier on Monday, Russia and Pakistan both strive to expand economic cooperation in energy and other areas. "Moscow and Islamabad certainly have a mutual desire to boost bilateral cooperation, primarily in the energy sector, in other sectors of the economy," Lavrov said.
The Russian Foreign Minister emphasized that Pakistan is an important Russian foreign policy partner. "With Pakistan we have close viewpoints on the most important international and regional issues, and we work closely in the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and other multilateral institutions," the minister said
In turn, Pakistani Foreign Minister said that Islamabad expects that third countries will not interfere with the development of cooperation with Moscow on the supply of oil and gas.
https://tass.com/economy/1569087
Russia, Pakistan to engage SCO capabilities for Afghan settlement — Lavrov
The top diplomat stressed that Russia and Pakistan share an opinion that cooperation via the SCO is a very promising format of multilateral, multipolar diplomacy
"We have talked about the situation in Afghanistan a lot; this is directly connected to the goal of elimination of terrorist threats in our region. So far, unfortunately, it has not happened, but efforts are being made, and we agreed to engage the capabilities of the SCO to that extent as well - the SCO-Afghanistan contact group in particular," Lavrov said.
According to Lavrov, Moscow and Islamabad are mutually interested in development of cooperation via the SCO.
"We share an opinion that this is a very promising format of multilateral, multipolar diplomacy. The efficiency of this structure is confirmed by the growing interest from non-member states in closer cooperation with it and in becoming its members," the Foreign Minister concluded.
#Russia to assist #Pakistan meet energy needs
A week after Pakistan and Russia signed an agreement on the supply of Russian crude oil and oil products, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Monday that his country would "cooperate fully" to meet the energy needs of Pakistan.
Speaking at a joint press conference with his Pakistani counterpart, the Russian FM commended Pakistan for maintaining a neutral position in the Russian-Ukraine war and said that the two countries would continue to cooperate in various fields, including education, economy, energy and connectivity.
On January 28, the Foreign Office announced that Minister of Foreign Affairs Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari had been invited to Moscow by his Russian counterpart to “hold official talks with his Russian counterpart where the two sides would deliberate upon the entire spectrum of bilateral relations and exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest.”
During the joint press conference after the talks on Monday, the two ministers said that the countries would continue to cooperate and work together.
Speaking at the conference, FM Bilawal said that the two had a “fruitful” discussion regarding the energy sector, stressing that both countries wanted to enhance bilateral relations.
He also underscored the devastation caused to Pakistan’s economy and infrastructure by recent floods that affected millions of people in the country, adding “relations between Pakistan and Russia are important for bilateral and regional stability”.
“Pakistan attaches great importance to relations with Russia and wants to further promote relations with Russia,” Bilawal said, adding that the talks had proved fruitful and the nations would continue to talk on matters in all fields “in a friendly atmosphere”.
Moreover, his Russian counterpart too asserted that the cooperation between the two countries in various fields would continue and that Russia would “cooperate fully” to meet Pakistan’s energy needs.
He congratulated both states on the successful completion of the 8th inter-governmental meeting, which ended on January 20 and during which Russia and Pakistan agreed on late March as the timeline for crude oil export.
The two foreign ministers also discussed regional and international developments. Bilawal said that Pakistan wanted a peaceful solution to the Ukrainian conflict, while the Russian FM said that Pakistan’s neutral position regarding the matter was commendable.
The Russian FM also said, “Pakistan and Russia hold a common stance on a number of issues on international forums.
“The two countries also have the same position regarding cooperation in Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO),” adding that Russia would continue to support Pakistan’s efforts to establish peace in Afghanistan.
Taking to Twitter, FM Bilawal wote: "Met with FM Sergey Lavrov. Had discussion on bilat[eral], reg[ional] & int[ernational] issues. Pakistan-Russia relations have come a long way during last 2 decades; reiterated commitment to upward trajectory esp[esically] in fields of econ[omy], trade & energy. Emphasized dialogue & diplomacy as the path to peace."
The visit is significant because even when the Russians have their hands full with Ukraine, they still extended this invitation, a sign of warming relations and a chance to discuss further the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan.
On January 20, Islamabad and Moscow — after the conclusion of the annual inter-governmental commission — agreed on late March as the timeline for crude oil export.
This is a major development for Pakistan as the country is facing a severe economic crisis.
State Minister for Petroleum Musadik Malik revealed that "Pakistan wants to import 35% of its total crude oil" requirement from Russia.Meanwhile, Russia's Energy Minister Nikolay Shulginov also said that Pakistan would pay for energy purchases from Russia, when they start in late March, in currencies of friendly countries.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1035800-russia-to-assist-pakistan-meet-energy
Russia-Ukraine conflict adversely affecting Pakistan: Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto
He expressed hope that the "strong tradition of diplomacy" of Russia would help achieve a peaceful resolution of the conflict.
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.
He thanked Lavrov for inviting him to visit Russia and reiterated Islamabad's commitment to deepening relations with Moscow.
Apprising the media of their meeting, FM Bilawal said that their “friendly” and “detailed” discussion encompassed all aspects of bilateral relations and regional matters.
He said that 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.
He mentioned the summit-level meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Samarkand as well as the 8th Inter-Government Commission held in Islamabad which focused on trade, economy and energy cooperation.
Also read: FM Bilawal to meet Russian counterpart Lavrov today
He said during their meeting, they also discussed bilateral cooperation at multilateral fora including the United Nations and Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.
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.
To a question on Pakistan-Russia energy cooperation, the foreign minister said the incumbent government was committed to coping with the country’s energy needs.
He said that Pakistan valued its cooperation with Russia, the United States, and Europe and that the country consistently called for dialogue and peaceful resolution of disputes.
In his remarks, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Russia was satisfied with its military cooperation with Pakistan and that both countries were holding regular military contacts including joint exercises and military training.
He said that the elimination of terrorism from the region was directly linked to Afghanistan, adding that they had agreed to use the capacities of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), particularly its contact group on Afghanistan for the purpose.
Lavrov condemns Peshawar mosque attack
Condemning the terrorist attack in Peshawar mosque today, Sergei Lavrov stressed that fight against terrorism should be more active all over the world without any double standards.
He said that during the meeting they discussed building humanitarian, cultural and educational links.
Lavrov said that both countries have convergence of views on many regional and international issues.
Earlier on his arrival at Moscow airport, the minister was received by senior officials of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Pakistan’s ambassador to Russia Shafqat Ali Khan and officials of the embassy.
FM Bilawal is on a two-day visit to Russia at the invitation of FM Lavrov. The visit is seen as significant given the fact that former prime minister Imran Khan cited his push to deepen ties with Moscow as one of the reasons behind his ouster through an alleged US conspiracy.
Pakistan, beset with an economic crisis, is exploring options to import oil and gas from Russia at discounted rates. The two sides during the recent visit of the Russian energy minister reached an agreement to complete all the formalities by March before Pakistan started importing Russian oil.