ISLAMABAD: National Assembly (NA) Speaker Ayaz Sadiq has called for greater interaction and people-to-people contact with Russia. Talking to the of the Russian Federation State Duma Committee on International Affairs Chairman Leonid Slutsky, he stressed the need for finding new avenues of parliamentary and economic cooperation between Pakistan and Russia.
Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Alexey Dedov was also present on the occasion.
During the meeting, the speaker specifically emphasised the political will and consensus in the parliament regarding the closer relations with Russia. He also stressed the need of Russian investment to come to Pakistan for the mutual benefit of both the countries. “Russia can take advantage of the Pak-China trade corridor, spread from Chinese border to Gwadar port, as it can serve another alternative route for Russia to be linked with Middle East. This can play a vital role in the stability and economic progress of these regions,” the speaker remarked. “We want a multi-dimensional relationship with Russia in the fields of trade, defence, energy, infrastructure, culture and other spheres,” the speaker added.
Ayaz Sadiq also said Pakistan and Russia not only shared the same continent but also the same values of democracy and human freedom, while adding that both the nations needed to take their bilateral relation to new heights.
He also called for global multi-dimensional legislative and political measures to address challenges of terrorism and extremism. He said both terrorism and extremism posed severe threat to global peace and prosperity, but terrorism should not be associated with any religion, culture or society.
He also apprised the gathering that that speakers from China, Russia, Turkey, Iran and Afghanistan had agreed to participate in a conference to be held in Islamabad next month. “Pakistan is focusing on how to tackle terrorism in the region and how to connect with neighbouring countries,” he speaker added.
Moreover, Ayaz Sadiq said terrorism and extremism were directly related to conflicts and disputes, and called on the international community to pay urgent attention to address festering disputes and unresolved conflicts, aggression, foreign occupation and denial of the right to self-determination. “We must ensure regional stability and further economic integration to realise our goals,” he said.
Speaking on the occasion, Leonid Slutsky agreed with the speaker and said that his government also desired to have cordial relation with Pakistan. He also agreed for regular interaction between Pakistani and Russian parliamentarians. He appreciated the idea of the speaker to hold a conference in Pakistan devoted to security issues and fight against terrorism, with the participation of China, Russia, Turkey, Iran and Afghanistan.
He further said that the Russian president was also supporting the regional conference held in Islamabad, and urged that this kind of interaction would be held every year.
Slutsky also discussed ways and means for increase in business and trade activities between the business communities of both the countries in the field of agriculture, textile, leather goods, sports goods, and other products, besides making investments in the energy sector by Russian businesses.
Later, Ayaz Sadiq hosted a lunch in honour of Slutsky. Standing Committee for Foreign Affairs Chairman Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtyar, ambassadors and representatives of China, Russia, Turkey, Iran and Afghanistan, were also invited.
Diplomats of all the respective countries appreciated the gesture of the speaker to hold the conference and assured their support for the regional cause, as well as ensuring proactive participation in the conference.
