THE DAY OF RUSSIA The Day of Russia is the main national holiday of our country, the state with centuries-old historical and cultural traditions. It dates back to June 12, 1990, when the "Declaration of State Sovereignty of Russia" was proclaimed. Celebrated annually it symbolizes the unity and fraternal friendship of many peoples building together their future within one Federation. On this day we traditionally honor our homeland - a country with a thousand-year history and rich heritage.
In the recent years we achieved significant progress moving toward our goals. We got stronger as a country, as one nation. In the world community Russia is being perceived as a dynamically developing democratic state which commands authority in the international arena. Today we can state that we are seeing positive economic momentum in Russia. Almost all key indicators for 2016 show us that last year's results exceeded our expectations.
Being a permanent member of the UN Security Council, the Russian Federation implements and will continue to implement a balanced, pragmatic and proactive foreign policy aimed at building just and democratic world order, ensuring peace, strategic stability, equal and indivisible security.
On 1st of May Russia and Pakistan celebrated the 69th anniversary of diplomatic relations. Today the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is our important partner with whom we develop mutually beneficial cooperation in all fields. The significance of Pakistan is determined by its role in the global and regional politics, its influence in the Muslim world and its geostrategic position in close vicinity of the CIS borders. As neighbours in the region we face similar challenges and threats to national security.
As the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin recently said: "but there was not, there is not and there will never be a power that could defeat our people. However, the consolidation of the world community is needed for an effective fight against terrorism, extremism, neo-Nazism and other threats". We are open to such cooperation.
Pakistan is one of the states which suffered most from terrorism. Russia has supported and will support counterterrorism efforts of the Pakistani partners in future. Russia and Pakistan share approach in Afghan settlement aimed at peaceful, prosperous and democratic Afghanistan free from terrorism and drug-related crime. Our fruitful cooperation in the Moscow format on Afghanistan can be mentioned in this regard.
While considering Pakistan an important partner in dealing with terror threat in the region I should say that it is not only struggle against terrorism that unite us.
Our countries have been effectively and constructively cooperating within the UN and other international organizations. Our countries have close positions on a wide range of international problems, including the issues of peaceful settlement of conflicts, reigning of the multipolar world order, strengthening of the UN's central role, the supremacy of international law in interstate relations.
We supported the aspiration of Islamabad to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organization as a full-fledged member and that finally happened during the latest SCO Summit in Russian city of Ufa in July 2015. We hope that the next step in this direction will be done during the coming SCO Summit in Astana in June this year. After India and Pakistan become members, the SCO will include as many as 43% of the world's population while its member states will account for 24% of global gross domestic product.
As the President of Russia Vladimir Putin puts it, it is necessary to eliminate infrastructure restrictions for integration - mainly by creating a system of modern and well-connected transport corridors. Russia with its unique geographic location is willing to engage in this joint activity.
It would be proper to mention that being the largest transit state, Russia quite positively assesses Pakistan's transit capabilities, whose importance is undoubtedly gaining ground in today's interdependent world. Despite the fact that Moscow is not discussing the possibility of joining China-Pakistan economic corridor, we can say with confidence that Russia-Pakistan trade and economic cooperation has its own inherent value, and we intend to strengthen it. Russian companies are implementing business projects in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, including the planned construction of the North-South gas pipeline from Karachi to Lahore, on a bilateral basis.
We see a lot of promising opportunities in the economic field, in energy sector. A huge potential for economic cooperation we possess has yet to be fulfilled. Combined efforts on all levels are needed to give a new impetus to the development of economic cooperation.
We are absolutely confident that further strengthening multi-faceted cooperation and partnership bonds between Russia and Pakistan not only fully meets the interests of Russian and Pakistani people but also promotes regional peace and prosperity. We are committed to pursuing stronger friendship and long-term cooperation with Pakistan.
I would like to extend my congratulations to all our friends here in Pakistan and express my sincere gratitude for the continuous support they provide our Embassy. Happy Russia Day!