RUSSIA-UKRAINE CONFLICT CAN BE RESOLVED THROUGH DIPLOMACY: IMRAN KHAN
MOSCOW, February 24:Prime Minister Imran Khan has expressed regret over the recent situation between Russia and Ukraine and said that Pakistan hopes that the military conflict can be resolved through diplomacy. Conflicts must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy.
Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday held nearly three-hour long meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at Kremlin in Moscow.
According to sources, the two leaders discussed matters relating to bilateral relations and other important affairs.
The two leaders reviewed the entire array of bilateral relations including economic and energy cooperation, particularly the Pakistan Stream gas pipeline. The regional situation including the developing scenario of Ukraine also came under discussion.
The Russian President also hosted a luncheon for Prime Minister Imran Khan. Earlier on his arrival at Kremlin, the Prime Minister was warmly received by Russian President.
The prime minister was accompanied by a high-level delegation, including federal ministers Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Chaudhry Fawad Hussain, Asad Umar, Hammad Azhar, Commerce Advisor Abdur Razzak Dawood, National Security Advisor Moeed Yusuf and Member of the National Assembly Amir Mahmood Kiyani. This is the first bilateral visit by a Pakistani Prime Minister to Russia after a gap of 23 years and is being termed as a historic step to renew relations between the two countries.
On the other hand, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi met his Russian Counterpart Sergey Lavrov in Moscow, and discussed important regional and global issues including Pakistan-Russia bilateral relations, enhancing cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
In the meeting, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen bilateral relations between Pakistan and Russia.
Talking to his Russian Counterpart, Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that Pakistan attaches special importance to bilateral relations with Russia, adding that their bilateral ties have gradually strengthened.
The foreign minister said that Pakistan is pursuing the agenda of promoting economic priorities and regional ties under the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan.
The Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov congratulated Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Pakistani leadership on the successful conduct of extraordinary OIC Council of Foreign Ministers on Afghanistan.
The Russian foreign minister also expressed best wishes regarding upcoming meeting of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers in Islamabad next month.
Earlier today, PM Imran Khan laid a floral wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a war memorial dedicated to Soviet soldiers killed during World War II. The national anthems of Pakistan and Russia were played on the occasion as the prime minister observed a moment of silence in respect for the fallen troops.
PM Imran Khan visit to Moscow is the first bilateral trip by a Pakistani prime minister after two decades, PM Imran Khan has been accompanied by a high-level delegation, including the members of his cabinet. – DNA
