Stronger ties: Russia, Pakistan to boost energy cooperation

Moscow to hold next round of strategic dialogue


Our Correspondent October 22, 2014

ISLAMABAD:


Pakistan and Russia concluded their second round of strategic dialogue with a commitment to undertake concrete steps to enhance cooperation in energy.


According to a statement issued by the foreign ministry, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Morgulov Igor Vladimirovich and Pakistan’s Additional Secretary Europe Nadeem Riyaz led their respective sides in discussions that focused on a review of political, economic, parliamentary and cultural relations.



Possibilities were also explored for enhancing cooperation in various sectors including energy.

The statement said that discussions provided an excellent opportunity for a comprehensive exchange on entire range of bilateral issues as well as the regional situation.

“Both sides shared their resolve to undertake concrete steps to enhance their cooperation, especially in the economic sphere to strengthen the existing cordial relations,” it said.

During the meeting it was also agreed that the next round of Strategic Dialogue will be held in Moscow at a mutually convenient date.

The Russian Deputy Foreign Minister also called on Sartaj Aziz, Adviser to the Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs, Syed Tariq Fatemi, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs and Aizaz A. Chaudhry, Foreign Secretary.

They discussed bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest.

Islamabad and Moscow remained bitter enemies in the 1980s when Pakistan along with other western countries backed the so-called holy warriors or mujahideen fighting Soviet troops in Afghanistan.



However, in recent years the two countries have made attempts to move beyond the cold-war era and develop a new partnership.

The foreign policy guidelines approved by the parliament in 2011 in the wake of US secret raid to kill Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad had laid special emphasis on improving ties with Russia.

Since then the two countries regularly exchange visits of their civil and military officials as part of efforts to open a ‘new chapter’ in their otherwise troubled ties.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 22nd, 2014.

COMMENTS (2)

slummyIndiam | 9 years ago | Reply

Yeah It seems Russia will be selling attack helicopters to Pakistan much to the ire of us slummys. Boo hoo.

Reddy | 9 years ago | Reply

" strategic dialogue " what is strategic about power plant,you can woo russians as much as you wanted, they will not sell any military equipment and you can take that to the bank

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