DUSHANBE: Pakistan and Russia have agreed to work closely to further strengthen bilateral relations in all spheres.
The understanding came at a meeting between Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Dushanbe, said a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday.
Reaffirming strong desire to enhance bilateral relations, the two foreign ministers reviewed implementation status of the decisions taken during the Russian foreign minister’s visit to Pakistan in April this year.
The regional security situation, particularly Afghanistan also came under discussion. Qureshi briefed his Russian counterpart on Pakistan’s constructive approach towards the Afghan peace process.
Reiterating continued support, Qureshi emphasised close coordination between the two countries to help achieve negotiated political settlement.
The two foreign ministers agreed to remain in contact for the mutual benefit of the two countries.
Separately, Qureshi along with foreign ministers of SCO member states called on President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon on Wednesday.
During the call, the foreign minister congratulated the Tajik president on successful stewardship of SCO under its presidency, during which new areas were identified to further strengthen cooperation under SCO.
Qureshi, recalling the Tajik president’s visit to Pakistan in June 2021, remarked that the visit provided fresh impetus to already strong bilateral ties and opened new vistas of collaboration.
The foreign minister highlighted the government’s Vision Central Asia policy to enhance outreach to Central Asian Republics.
Underlining that absence of connectivity impedes strong ties, Foreign Minister Qureshi reaffirmed Pakistan’s interest to work with Central Asian Republics on rail, road and energy projects which would link Central Asia with Pakistan. The foreign minister added that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) provides an ideal opportunity in this regard.
On the regional security situation, the foreign minister emphasised that withdrawal of international forces from Afghanistan has opened new challenges and opportunities. He expressed the hope that SCO would continue to play its due role in support of the peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan.
Later, in his meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Qureshi held an in-depth discussion on the overall regional security situation, with particular focus on the evolving situation in Afghanistan, according to the Foreign Office.
The foreign minister briefed his Chinese counterpart on Pakistan’s consistent efforts to facilitate the Afghan peace process.
“There was a consensus that in view of the latest situation, close coordinated approach was extremely critical to achieve peace and stability in Afghanistan,” the FO statement said.
The foreign minister felicitated the Chinese foreign minister on the centenary celebrations of the Communist Party of China and reaffirmed Pakistan’s resolve to strengthen cooperation between the two countries.
