In the first ever bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Russian President Vladmir Putin, the two discussed ties, with both sides expressing the desire to enhance bilateral ties.
Putin congratulated Pakistan on its formal ascension to the SCO on which Sharif thanked Russia for its support to Pakistan’s entry.
Sharif told Putin that Pakistan is keen to enhance its relations with the Russian Federation and wants a multi-dimensional relationship with Russia in the fields of trade, defence, energy, infrastructure, culture and other spheres.
Both leaders reviewed the progress in a number of projects under consideration especially in the energy sector. They expressed their satisfaction on the progress being made in finalising the North-South gas pipeline agreement and decided to expedite the process
Putin stated that Russia too attaches importance to its relations with Pakistan and would like to further enhance them, particularly in the economic domain.
Both delegations have expressed the confidence that Sharif-Putin meeting would help in raising the level of friendship and cooperation between the two countries.