LAHORE, Pakistan: A delegation led by the Russian Energy Minister Nikolay Shulginov held a meeting with Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif in Lahore on Thursday.
Welcoming the delegation, the prime minister highlighted the importance Pakistan attached to its relations with the Russian Federation.
Shahbaz Sharif recalled his meeting with the Russian President Vladimir Putin in Samarkand in September 2022 and said that the meeting had reached important decisions to further strengthen Pakistan-Russia relations.
The prime minister also noted with satisfaction the keen desire on both the sides to upgrade the bilateral cooperation in trade, investment and economic matters.
The Russian energy minister reciprocated prime minister’s sentiments and delivered a special message of Russian president to the prime minister.
In his message, President Vladimir Putin referring to Pakistan as Russia’s important partner in South Asia and the Islamic World reiterated Russia’s strong interest to deepen the bilateral relationship.
Both sides agreed on the importance of energy sector for the development of bilateral economic and trade relations. In this regard, views were exchanged on supplying oil and gas from Russia to Pakistan on a long-term basis.
Matters related to gas pipelines were also reviewed.
The prime minister provided guidance for the work of 8th Round of Pakistan-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission meeting scheduled to be held in Islamabad on January 20, 2023.
The Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, the Federal Minister for Commerce Syed Naveed Qamar, the Minister for State for Petroleum Musadik Malik and the Prime Minister’s Special Assistant Tariq Fatimi were also present in the meeting.
