Pakistan, Russia Commit to Strengthening Bilateral Ties During SCO Meeting
ISLAMABAD, October 16,2024: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin held a cordial and productive meeting, on the sidelines of the 23rd Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Heads of Government (CHG) meeting.
The two leaders discussed a wide range of issues related to bilateral cooperation and expressed satisfaction with the growing momentum in Pakistan-Russia relations over the past two decades.
They agreed to further strengthen ties in areas such as trade, industry, energy, connectivity, science, technology, and education.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif recalled his first foreign visit to Moscow and expressed his desire to transform these early positive experiences into a long-lasting friendship between the two nations.
He reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to deepening political, economic, and defense cooperation with Russia. Both sides also agreed to enhance their collaboration at multilateral platforms, including the United Nations and the SCO.
The Prime Minister also thanked Russia for its support of Pakistan’s bid for BRICS membership, highlighting this as a key step toward deeper global cooperation.
Reflecting on his earlier meeting with President Vladimir Putin in July this year in Astana, Prime Minister Shehbaz emphasized the importance of continuing the momentum to strengthen bilateral ties further.
He also proposed the introduction of direct flights between the two countries to improve connectivity.
Prime Minister Mishustin expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to him and the Russian delegation by the Pakistani government.
He praised the excellent arrangements for the SCO CHG meeting and conveyed his desire to take Pakistan-Russia cooperation to the next level.
The two leaders also agreed on the need to enhance people-to-people exchanges and explore deeper cooperation in the banking sector to facilitate trade and investment between the two countries.
Both Prime Ministers concluded the meeting by reaffirming their commitment to close cooperation in all areas of mutual interest, signaling a strong determination to build on the positive trajectory of Pakistan-Russia relations
