Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Saturday arrived in Islamabad after concluding his two-day official visit to Kazakhstan.Before his departure for Islamabad, the Prime Minister visited Pakistan's stall at international specialized exhibition 'Expo 2017' in Astana. He took keen interest in the items displayed at the stall and was briefed about the traditional arts items and wind and solar technologies gadgets.
The prime minister also visited Belarus stall and was briefed by the high officials. Advisor to PM on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, Minister for Commerce Khurram Dastgir and Minister of State for Petroleum Jam Kamal accompanied the prime minister. Expo 2017 being held from June 10 to September 10, 2017 is dedicated to the development of alternative energy sources, green technologies and preservation of ecology system. It hosts the world best technologies in harnessing of renewable resources. About 115 countries as well as 22 international organizations are participating in the exhibition.
During his stay in Astana, the prime minister participated in 17th meeting of the Heads of State Council of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). On the sidelines of the SCO Summit, he also held bilateral meetings with Presidents of Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Afghanistan and the UN Secretary General.
During his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, the two leaders reaffirmed their desire to further enhance bilateral relations. President Putin said, "The trade between Russia and Pakistan has slightly increased but the two countries have much greater potential for economic co-operation". He said, "Pakistan is an important partner for Russia in South Asia and Russian-Pakistani relations have been constructive and mutually beneficial".
The two leaders discussed bilateral relations, including trade and economic cooperation, and also current international issues during the meeting. Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz and Minister for Commerce Khurram Dastgir were also present at the meeting. Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Pakistan's accession to the SCO. He said, "I am glad that we met for a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the SCO Summit."
Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif thanked President Vladimir Putin, and the Russian Federation for supporting Pakistan's full membership in the SCO. Nawaz Sharif said, "While in Ufa we did agree on improving Pakistan-Russian bilateral trade, there is improvement but not the level that we agreed upon.
It has been always my endeavour to build and strengthen our relationship and I am continuing to strive for that". Both sides agreed that there was a healthy growth in the relations between two sides and that high-level interactions and cordial political relations had set the stage for translating political goodwill into a substantive economic partnership.
They viewed that current state of relations between Pakistan and Russia was characterized by mutual trust, commonality of interest, better understanding and convergence of views on important issues like regional security, combating terrorism, drug tracking and greater economic co-operation. Both sides are also working closely to further expand cooperation in educational and cultural fields. They agreed to work on concrete proposals for the next session of Pakistan-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, and Technical Cooperation which will take place in Moscow in December this year.
It was also noted that the Joint Working Group on Energy was an appropriate mechanism to reinforce existing cooperation in energy sector. The strong interest of Russian companies and enterprises in the energy sector of Pakistan was also highlighted. Russia is already engaged in installation of LPG Air Mix Plants in Pakistan and establishment of a 600MW combined cycle power plant at Jamshoro. Both leaders agreed to fast-track the implementation of North-South Gas Pipeline, the agreement for which was signed in October 2015 between two sides.
They also reviewed defence relations during recent years. Discussions on regional issues focused on Afghanistan and Pakistan relations with India. Prime Minister Sharif reiterated that, "A peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan was important for Pakistan's own, progress and stability". He said, "Pakistan welcomed any peace initiative that could lead to peace and stability in Afghanistan." He also highlighted the fact that, "The simultaneous admission of Pakistan and India into SCO would improve prospects of better relations between the two countries".
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