ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Russia signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Monday to bolster parliamentary cooperation, marking a significant step in their bilateral relations.
The signing ceremony took place at the Parliament House, where Senate Chairman Yousuf Raza Gilani and Valentina Matvienko, the Speaker of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, represented their respective countries.
A video shared by the Senate of Pakistan captured the moment the two dignitaries finalized the agreement. The Russian Embassy in Pakistan also posted details of the ceremony on social media, highlighting Gilani’s role in strengthening bilateral relations and cooperation within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
During the event, Gilani described the visit as a pivotal moment in the long-standing relationship between Pakistan and Russia. “This visit marks a watershed in the long and historic journey of cooperation between Pakistan and Russia, reinforcing our shared commitment to regional peace, prosperity, and mutual respect,” he stated.
The MoU is designed to lay the groundwork for enhanced parliamentary diplomacy, emphasizing the importance of exchanging parliamentary delegations to foster cooperation between the two nations. It promotes interaction among parliamentary friendship groups and includes a professional development program focused on capacity building and institutional development for effective parliamentary engagement.
Gilani expressed optimism about the future of the partnership, stating, “We are confident that this visit’s outcome will pave the way for a stronger, more meaningful interparliamentary and bilateral partnership between Pakistan and the Russian Federation in the years ahead.”
During her visit, Matvienko is scheduled to meet with President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq.
Historically, Pakistan and Russia were Cold War adversaries; however, they have recently strengthened their ties through increased trade and business engagements. Islamabad aims to become a key transit route for Central Asia’s landlocked nations and is keen on establishing trade links with Russia via Central Asian countries.
The relationship progressed notably in 2023 when Pakistan began importing discounted Russian crude oil amid rising fuel prices driven by geopolitical conflicts. This strategic shift allowed Pakistan to access more affordable fuel sources. In September, Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk visited Islamabad, focusing on expanding trade and investment opportunities between the two countries.
