It is my outmost privilege for the second time to address the readers of this newspaper on the auspicious occasion of the National day of the Russian Federation.
On a personal basis I am especially delighted to have the opportunity to share the feelings and impressions I have accumulated since assuming the office of the Consul to Karachi almost one and half year ago.
This period was full of various bright events both in the life of our peoples and my personal life. Our two countries have managed to make a tangible progress in improving and developing of the bilateral relations in different spheres be it either the political affaires, characterised by our joint efforts in the continuous struggle against terrorism and extremism, nuclear and narcotics non-proliferation or economic matters, relating to increasing and diversifying of trade and carrying out of industrial and agricultural projects.
In this context it is especially noteworthy to mention the Russian Prime Minister Mr Mikhail Fradkov's visit to Pakistan last April. That visit, the first for the last almost 40 years, as both sides admitted, had become a "significant step" in further cementing the ties between Russia and Pakistan. During the meetings, which Mr M. Fradkov held with the President of Pakistan Pervez Musharraf and his counterpart, the Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, both sides had been repeatedly stressing their desire for peace and better future for Russian and Pakistani people and expressing mutual resolve to strengthen the bilateral ties and enhance their cooperation in various fields, especially in trade, economy and security.
The results of the talks give rise to hopes that long before Russian private investments will start flowing to Pakistan. Both the countries have agreed to expedite the finalisation of the treaties on protecting of bilateral investments and on avoidance of double taxation. There is a vast yet untapped potential for developing joint projects in different fields ranging from exploration of oil and gas, construction of electric power stations to upgradation of PakSteel Mills, motor and rail transport development, production of chemical fertilisers, machines and trucks.
Since last October, when the Kamaz assembly line was officially inaugurated at the Bebojee Services in Karachi, several dozens of these famous Russian prime movers have been rolled out from the company's plant. Recently Kamaz and Bebojee Services have made another step further - they have signed the MoU on setting up of a joint venture for the manufacture of Pakistani trucks under the brand name "Kamaz-Gandhara".
The last year also witnessed a record increase in the bilateral trade which reached to the amount of more than $400 million. And that is not a limit. Russia and Pakistan are aiming to attain one billion benchmark in the nearest future.
Of no less significance for strengthening mutual understanding and boosting people-to-people interaction is the signing of the agreement on "the Programme of Cultural, Educational and Scientific Exchanges between Pakistan and Russian Federation for 2007-2009". We cannot help being glad that the wish to study in Russia has again began gradually but steadily growing on among the Pakistani youth.
Another evidence of expansion of contacts between our people is the manifold increase of number of all types of visas issued by the Russian Embassy in Islamabad and the Consulate General in Karachi. On the other hand, in comparison with previous years, much more Russian businessmen visited Pakistan and took part in trade and investment exhibitions held in Karachi during the last year.
A lot is being done to promote cultural ties. A number of photo exhibitions relating about the past and the present history of Russia and the contemporary life of its multinational people went off successfully enough. Currently we are being engaged in arranging by the end of the year the performances of a Russian folklore ensemble with aim to acquaint a Pakistani audience with the richness of the traditional Russian music and dance culture.
And availing myself of this opportunity I would like to extend my warmest word of gratitude to many of our Pakistani friends who have expressed their support to this culture project.
So recurring to my personal experiences I would like to say that apart of a great deal of official and business contacts, my family and I have fortunately managed to establish merely human contacts with a lot of people representing different walks of life. The friendly and open character of such relations does really inspire me to vigorously work at promotion of multi-faceted cooperation to our mutual benefit.
With the help of the Consulate's staff, our fellows from the Trade Mission and the Cultural Center I will do my best to realise projects meant to enhance trade and economic relations as well as mutual understanding between our two countries which I sincerely believe would benefit not only ourselves but peace and progress to region and beyond.
In conclusion, let me wish our host country as well as Russia and all our countrymen in Pakistan another year of improvement and progress.
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