ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Saturday held a telephonic conversation with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov and discussed bilateral ties and regional situation.
Recalling his recent visit to Russia as part of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s delegation, Qureshi stated that the two sides had held wide-ranging talks on the key subjects of bilateral agenda and the region, including Afghanistan.
Lavrov conveyed deepest condolences over the loss of lives in the terrorist attack on a mosque in Peshawar on Friday and stressed Russia’s condemnation of terrorism in all forms.
He also conveyed that the Russian side would be following-up on the important bilateral matters discussed in Moscow and that the two sides would continue to work together on promoting shared goals of peace and stability in Afghanistan.
Underlining Pakistan’s concern at the latest situation in Ukraine, Qureshi highlighted that Pakistan had emphasised on the fundamental principles of UN Charter, called for de-escalation, and underscored the need for a diplomatic solution in accordance with the relevant multilateral agreements, international law, and provisions of the UN Charter.
He also apprised his Russian counterpart of his recent telephonic conversations with the foreign ministers of Ukraine, Poland, Romania and Hungary, and High Representative of the European Union, in which he had shared Pakistan’s principled position and stressed the importance of finding a solution through dialogue and diplomacy.
Qureshi expressed the hope that the talks initiated between Russia and Ukraine would succeed in finding a diplomatic solution.
Lavrov shared Russia’s perspective on the situation, referred to the opening of the “humanitarian corridor”, and underlined readiness for the next round of talks with the Ukrainian side.
Qureshi emphasised that safe and swift return of Pakistani citizens from Ukraine remains his government’s top most priority and requested for the Russian government’s assistance and facilitation in this regard.
The two ministers agreed to remain in close contact.
