Our Special Correspondent
SAMARKAND: Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif held a warm and cordial meeting with President of the Russian Federation Vladimir V. Putin on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Heads of State in Samarkand, Thursday. The two leaders discussed bilateral ties and exchanged views on regional and international issues. The Prime Minister thanked President Putin for Russia’s expression of solidarity and support for the people affected by the massive floods in Pakistan. The Prime Minister also shared details of the devastating impact of this climate induced calamity.
The Prime Minister expressed satisfaction at steady growth of Pakistan-Russia relations, which were marked by strong mutual trust and understanding. The Prime Minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to work closely with Russia to further expand and strengthen cooperation between the two countries across all areas of mutual benefit including food security, trade & investment, energy, defence and security. It was agreed to convene the next meeting of the Inter-Governmental Commission (IGC) in Islamabad at an early date.
Appreciating Russia’s constructive role in Afghanistan, the Prime Minister said that both Pakistan and Russia had vital stakes in a peaceful and stable Afghanistan. The Prime Minister said that it was essential to intensify the pace of international engagement on Afghanistan and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to support all regional and international efforts to stabilize Afghanistan. PM also called on Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi and discussed bilateral relations as well as regional situation. President Raisi condoled death and devastation caused due to catastrophic floods in Pakistan. He also assured PM Shehbax of full fledged assistance to cop with desaster.
