FM Qureshi telephones Russian FM Lavrov

By Staff Reporter
Friday – June 19, 2020
ISLAMABAD: The foreign minister (FM) Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi held a telephonic conversation with Russian FM Sergey Lavrov, Thursday, matters of mutual interest, including the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, cooperation at the multilateral fora, prospects of enhanced bilateral cooperation, and regional issues were discussed.

According to an official statement, FM Qureshi underlined that Pakistan considered Russia an important partner and desired to forge a long-term and multi-dimensional partnership with Russia.

He offered condolences on the loss of precious lives in Russia due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The two leaders exchanged views about the socio-economic ramifications about the pandemic.

Russian FM Lavrov expressed solidarity with Pakistan in its efforts to combat the outbreak.

FM Qureshi apprised his Russian counterpart of prime minister (PM) 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 COVID-19.

Russian FM Lavrov expressed support for debt relief initiative and assured to play a positive role.

In context of Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IOJK), FM 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.

The FM underlined the importance of urgent steps to address the grave situation.

The two leaders also discussed the situation in Afghanistan in the context of the recent positive developments.

FM Qureshi reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process and underlined Pakistan’s positive contribution to the United States (US) Taliban peace agreement.

He stressed the importance of inclusive intra-Afghan negotiations as the only way to build durable peace and security in the country.

The two leaders agreed on maintaining close consultations as part of regional efforts to support the Afghan peace process.

The two foreign ministers agreed to remain in close contact to take forward the important bilateral agenda and close cooperation in the regional context.


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