| ISLAMABAD:
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Monday issued a video statement expressing his country’s desire to expand cooperation with Pakistan—at the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Moscow and Islamabad.
Interestingly, the anniversary almost coincides with the arrival of the first shipment of Russian oil to Karachi Port. Pakistan and Russia have remained bitter cold-war rivals but their bilateral ties have taken a positive turn in recent years with both sides willing to bury the past and adjust to the new realities.
The two countries have been making efforts to translate their years of quiet diplomacy into tangible outcomes. In April, the two countries signed a landmark deal that allowed Pakistan to receive the first Russian oil shipment at the weekend. The first shipment is part of the pilot project to assess if Russian oil can be beneficial for Pakistan. It is reported that the first shipment was imported at a discounted rate.
“We know about the great interest and respect that the Pakistani people have towards Russia and President Vladimir Putin. We appreciate it very much,” the foreign minister said in the statement. |
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