Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on Sunday said that Pakistan's longstanding partnership with the Russian Federation as well as with its Muslim regions, including the Republic of Tatarstan, would witness significant progress in all areas of mutual interest.
The prime minister reiterated his resolve to establish a strong partnership between Pakistan and Russia in all fields as this co-operation would positively contribute towards promoting peace and stability in the region.
He was talking to President of Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov, who called on him at the PM House, according to PM Office media wing's press release.
While warmly welcoming the President of Tatarstan and his delegation to Pakistan, the Prime Minister said that longstanding bilateral relations were a manifestation of a common desire to explore possibilities for enhancing co-operation between Pakistan and Russia.
He emphasised that Pakistan was pursuing a policy of peaceful neighbourhood and wishes to resolve all outstanding issues with its neighbours, peacefully through dialogue.
President Rustam Minnikhanov thanked the Prime Minister for extending warm hospitality during his visit to Pakistan and informed that the Tatar business delegation held fruitful meetings at Lahore.
The Prime Minister expressed the hope that the Joint Business Forum with businessmen from both sides would develop mutually beneficial contacts and help boost the bilateral trade.
Co-operation in sectors including banking, Halal food, production of cement, automotive industry, pharmaceuticals, technology, culture and education, should be explored, he added.
The visiting delegation comprised Albert Karimov Deputy Prime Minister, Alexey Dedov Ambassador of Russian Federation to Pakistan, Ms Taliya Minullina Chief Executive of Tatarstan Investment Development Agency and Marat Gatin Deputy Director of the Foreign Affairs.
Special Assistant to the PM on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi, Fawad Hasan Fawad Secretary to PM and Zaheer Janjua Additional Secretary Foreign Office were also present.