Multilateralism stressed for regional cooperation

Speakers express hope, confidence in positive Russia-Pakistan relations at webinar

Karachi Council on Foreign Relations (KCFR) senior vice-chairperson ambassador Mustafa Kamal Kazi highlighted on Tuesday the need for a multilateral order, which he said would facilitate closer cooperation between Russia and Pakistan for "greater good of the region."

Speaking during a webinar on Russia Pakistan relations, organised in connection with Russian Diplomats Day, Kazi, who was also moderating the session, said, "Multilateralism, and not unilateralism, is the solution for complex global issues."

Underlining the importance of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation as a platform for regional cooperation and integration, he highlighted the Belt and Road Initiative and China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as "components of a new global growth engine that will bring Asia, Europe and Africa closer."

Focusing on Pakistan and Russia, Kazi remarked that relations between the two countries had entered a new era and would continue to grow stronger, boosting regional cooperation, progress, prosperity and stability in the region.

Russian ambassador to Pakistan Danila Ganich, when it was his turn to speak, expressed confidence in "positive bilateral Russia-Pakistan relations" on the basis of "consensus that has development between the two countries."

He also expressed hope that the CPEC would present new opportunities and avenues for cooperation between Russia and Pakistan, and identified development in both the countries as a "means to become independent and deal with United States' sanctions, which impede cooperation and development, in a better manner."

Published in The Express Tribune, February 10^th, 2021.