10 June 2004 05:14
Russia, Pakistan relations developing quite successfully
Karachi, June 10 PPI: The relations between Russian Federation and Pakistan are developing "quite
successfully" in diplomatic, political, economic and trade fields after visit of President Pervez Musharraf to
Moscow in early 2003. The relations are "as good as ever before and not divided by any difference or contradicting
ideologies. The improvement of bilateral ties is due toleadership of both the countries", observed Russian
Federation's Consul General in Karachi Vladimir P Mikhaylov. The positions of Russian Federation and Pakistan on
some major international problems like Iraq and Middle East are "very close. We have regular consultations on
various issues including struggle against terrorism, narcotics WMD", Mikhaylov noted while speaking at seminar on
"Nature of Russian relations with Commonwealth of Independent States CIS countries: Impact on Pakistan"
organized by Pakistan Institute of International Affairs PIIA at its premises Thursday in Karachi. However, he felt that
volume of bilateral trade and economic cooperation does not correspond to the potential between both countries. At the
same time "we do not have much military cooperation with Pkaistan and it would take time to materialize". He
said many Russian companies were satisfied with Pkaistan government's policies in oil and gas sectors. "We are
planning first ever solo Pakistan exhibition in St. Petersburg in early September 2004. We hope more Pakistani
businessmen will visit Russia and plan to arrange visits of their Russian counterparts to Pakistan." Mikhaylov
spoke on nature of Russian relations with CIS states and its impact on Pakistan. He hoped Pakistan is interested in
strengthening ties with CIS for economic cooperation. Earlier Chairman PIIA Fatehyab Ali Khan in his remarks said CIS
was based on principles of sovereign equality of all members. In March 1994, the CIS was accorded observer status in the
United Nations. He said a Customs Union to regulate payments betwee member states with non- convertible independent
currencies and a regulatory Economic Court have also been established among CIS countries. The seminar was also
addressed by Fateh Ali Hashim Honorary Consul Kingdom of Morocco, Dr Talat A Wizarat professor of international
relations, University of Karachi and Ms Farzana Shakoor NED Engineering University Karachi.
(THROUGH ASIA PULSE)
[Pakistan Press International Information Services Limited] |
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