Pakistan, Russia agree to broaden scope of existing ties
President Zardari reiterated his call to institutionalize a regular dialogue between Pakistan and Russia at the Foreign Ministers’ level with annual bilateral meetings, alternatively in Islamabad and Moscow, to sustain the upward trajectory in the relationship.
Briefing the media about the meeting, spokesperson to the president, Farhatullah Babar said that during their sixth meeting in a period of less than three years, the two presidents reviewed the progress made so far on the decisions taken during their earlier meetings.
Babar said that besides discussing need to further enhance cooperation in various areas, the two presidents also discussed the regional situation with reference to threat from militants.
Babar said that Zardari welcomed Russian interest in various important energy projects such as TAPI, oil and gas exploration, hydel power production and distribution of coal based power generation.
He said that Pakistan would welcome Russian participation in the projects of coal power generation from deposits from Sindh and the hydel power projects like Munda, Kuramtagni and Muzzaffargarh.
During the meeting, Zardari emphasized on the need to materialize full existing trade potential between the two countries saying that greater market access to each others goods and services would help to enhance the existing trade volume of about $300 million to $1 billion.
The president also reiterated his offer to his Russian counterpart for Russian Banks to open their branches in Pakistan and to consider entering in currency swap agreement.
He hoped that Pakistan’s proposal to declare Karachi and Saint Petersburg as sister cities, upon its materialization, would serve to enhance mutual cooperation and promote trade and economic activities between the two countries.
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SUKHOI AND BRAHMOS CRUISE MISSILE VERTICAL LAUNCHER IS COMING
@shouvikmukho: *"...Obviously, they haven’t forgooten the Afghan humiliation was due to Pakistan." *
That is not the only sore point between Russia and Pakistan. Back in the days of President Eisenhower and Khruschev, U2 spy flights on Russia were flown from Pakistan. One of those flights by Gary Francis Powers was shot down by the then USSR. A high power meeting between Eisenhower and Khruschev immediately following that incident was publicly and indecorously, though justifiably, called off by Khruschev then. It was quite embarrassing to Eisenhower, otherwise a wise and honourable man. Russians do not forget anything. Just outside perhaps the most beautiful city of the world, St. Petersburg, is a Soviet war memorial to the 26 million Russian dead in the two world wars imposed by Germany. It is an Eternal Flame. An inscription on the stone, next to the Flame, is starkly simple - just six words: "Nikto Ne Zabit; Nishto Ne Zabito" ("None is forgotten; Nothing is forgotten"). Russians are good and honest people, great as friends, deadly as enemies!
@vivek: Pakistan plays the entire world and gets $$$$ where as you indians steal money from poor tribals to Mining companies.Spend billions on 3rd class Russian and american fighter jets...then the american and russians give all that money to Pakistan.
@Vivek ... Direct Investment will help Pakistan too, Aid is a curse and it wont help us. We need allot of cooperation like this in order to stand on our feets
@vivek: We are not looking for Aid from China and Russia. They actually want to invest in Pakistan as Pakistan is the best place to invest and do business with the world. Pakistan Geographically is the best in this region. Both China and Russia as well as Central Asian countries want to business with Pakistan and want o use Pakistani Sea Ports to get access warm waters.
Even Indian is Begging to do business with Pakistan and keep asking Pakistan to give way for tansit trade with central Asian countries.
Any country which will invest in Pakistan in Energy and Power sector will be earning a lot in future.
I think USA is using India to encounter China and Pakistan but USA times is going now.
Zardaris son missing in the meeting.
Pakistan needs non-US money. China is not as forthcoming as much as Pakistan would have liked. Russians are smart businessmen. Even if they loan Pakistan some monies, they are going to extract thier pound of flesh. Obviously, they haven't forgooten the Afghan humiliation was due to Pakistan.
Yeah! And now the enemy of my enemy becomes my friend. LOL
@vivek:
India US Israel are real enemies of Pakistan... Pakistan must be solid and good friend to CHINA,RUssia Mr Vivek Pakistan does not need aid any more...thats why its moving towards Trade
India should not be jealous and India should pack its bag to go our of Afghanistan and Kashmir And Khalistan should be declared independant
Also do interfere in our matters and stop Naxalism in India which is spreading and killing Indian Soldiers who r occupying naxals territory
The Russian leadership is like the Pakistani one. All cash.. no emotions
if you guys hope this change in momentum of alliance would help pakistan,you may be wrong 'caz russia and china won't give you any aid rather they look for investments that would help them develop... china using pakistan to encounter india and russia to encounter USA. finally you are going to be a puppet.. be happy when you start developing on your own feet..
The idea "Honor"able President is to create NEW areas of cooperation that would eventually create a strategic partnership. What you have done is like saying, i will take my friend to the same movie twice in the same day instead of doing something new.
VERY VERY INTELLIGENT STEP, MR PRESIDENT ! WE ARE WITH YOU!
ET it's Dmitry Medvedev not Anatolyevich Medvedev, please fix the erratum