ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Russia have agreed to remain in close contact to take forward the important bilateral agenda in the regional context, besides maintaining close consultations on Afghan peace process.

The understanding was reached during a telephonic conversation between Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov.

"Matters of mutual interest, including the Covid-19 pandemic, cooperation at the multilateral fora, prospects of enhanced bilateral cooperation, and regional issues were discussed," the Foreign Office said Thursday.

It stated that the two foreign ministers agreed on maintaining close consultations as part of regional efforts to support the Afghan peace process, adding that they also agreed to remain in close contact to take forward the important bilateral agenda, and close cooperation in the regional context.

While speaking to Foreign Minister Lavrov, Qureshi underlined that Pakistan considered Russia an important partner and desired to forge a long-term and multi-dimensional partnership with Russia.

Foreign Minister Qureshi offered condolences on the loss of precious lives in Russia due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The two foreign ministers exchanged views about the socio-economic ramifications about the pandemic.

Foreign Minister Lavrov expressed solidarity with Pakistan in its efforts to combat the outbreak. It further stated that Foreign Minister Qureshi apprised his Russian counterpart of Prime Minister Imran Khan's call for "Global Initiative on Debt Relief" for developing countries.

He stated that coordinated and comprehensive actions were essential to create fiscal space needed by the developing world to deal with the socio-economic impacts of the Covid-19. The Russian foreign minister expressed support for the debt relief initiative and assured to play a positive role, it added.

In the context of IOJ&K, it added that Foreign Minister Qureshi shared deep concern over the continuing double lockdown as well as the intensification of military crackdown by Indian occupation forces and attempts to change the demographic structure of the occupied territory.