Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar told a joint press conference along with her Russian counterpart that Pakistan had a clear policy of extending full help and cooperation to any Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-driven peace initiative as only that could lead to a lasting solution to the problem.
Khar is visiting the Russian Federation at the invitation of her Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov from Feb 7 to 10.
She held in-depth talks with Lavrov on expanding and diversifying Pakistan-Russia relations.
The two foreign ministers exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest, besides increasing cooperation in energy, infrastructure development, agriculture, science and technology.
She said there was scope for cooperation between the two countries in different areas and all aspects for improving cooperation were discussed during the meeting of the two foreign ministers.
The two sides agreed to promote and enhance bilateral relations in diverse fields, including trade, energy and people-to-people contact.
Federal Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar further said the relations between Pakistan and Russia are getting better since some years.
she said Islamabad welcomes the expression of interest by Moscow in Tharcoal project and restoration of Steel Mills.
The two countries, Khar stressed, are desirous of establishing strong bilateral economic relations, adding the two countries seek to further ties on the parliamentary level, too.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said his country can play a vital role for the peace and stability of the region. “We hail Russia’s support for Pakistan’s complete membership in Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).”
This is a very sensible move by the foreign office in Pakistan to extend the Afghan peace process to include Russia. This is a very wise move, a very prudent gesture and shrewd thinking which is highly appreciated. Russia has to be an equal partner in this process.
Pakistan Foreign Office has rightly said that this has to be an "Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-driven peace initiative".
This reminds me of a certain meeting with a Professor of an American University in early 80’s across the dinner table at a friend’s residence in Lahore. USSR of which Russia was only a part had gone in to Afghanistan.
The Professor remarked that probably Russian Politburo had likes of Dr Robert McNamara who thought going in to Vietnam was in the interest of America. "We learnt it the hard way and the Russians will as well".
Incidentally I met this man after more than 20 years at the same friends place. This time America had gone in to Iraq. I reminded the Professor of our conversation of twenty years ago and sought his view about the chances of American success in Iraq. He replied 'fifty fifty'. I queried what about the other fifty if America lost. The Professor did not have a satisfactory answer.
Pakistan must watch its interests and not only China it must have mutually respecting working relationship with both US and Russia at the level of the state.
England
8th February 2012.
UK
is it a sensible move?
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