– In 2025, Russia and Pakistan will focus on cooperation in energy, industry, including the modernization of the Karachi Steel Mills, agriculture and transport;
– Russia stands ready to intensify cooperation with Pakistan on the use of international transport corridors “North-South” and “Belarus-Russia-Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan”. In this context, the modernization of the Quetta-Taftan railway line is currently being considered. Increasing maritime cargo transportation also holds promise;
– Moscow shares Islamabad’s concern about the growing terrorist activity in Pakistan. Both Russia and Pakistan are committed to strengthening peace and stability in Afghanistan and countering terrorist threats emanating from its territory. We support Pakistan’s counter-terrorism efforts and reaffirm our focus on strengthening constructive cooperation with Pakistan and Afghanistan;
– It is up to Pakistan and Afghanistan to address security issues in the Pak-Afghan border area. For our part, we welcome both bilateral and regional cooperation to counter the terrorist threat. Dialogue on a wide range of common concerns and challenges is already underway within the Moscow Format of Consultations and other multilateral fora that bring together Afghanistan’s neighbors;
– Amid fundamental transformations in global politics and economy, cooperation within the SCO, one of the largest and most important regional organizations, which is now establishing itself as one of the new centers of power, is becoming increasingly relevant;
– We attach great importance to joint cooperation with Pakistan in enhancing the SCO’s economic potential, strengthening industrial cooperation, establishing independent financial institutions and payment mechanisms, expanding transport and logistics capabilities and regional interconnectivity, as well as countering new challenges and threats;
– We also enjoy constructive cooperation with our Pakistani partners in the United Nations. We share positions on many topical issues on the international agenda, such as information security, prevention of an arms race in outer space, etc.;
– Russia welcomes Pakistan’s willingness to become involved in the work of BRICS. At this stage, Pakistan’s participation in the activities of the New Development Bank, which has proved to be an effective mechanism for financing infrastructure and sustainable development projects in BRICS and developing countries, looks promising;
– On the occasion of Diplomats’ Day (celebrated annually in Russia on February 10), I would like to wish all my colleagues happiness, health, boundless energy and success in further defending the positions of our Motherland on the diplomatic front.
Interview with the TASS News Agency
