FM Bilawal Bhutto to visit Russia on Jan 29

• Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will undertake an official visit to Moscow
• The foreign minister will hold official talks with his Russian counterpart
• They will discuss bilateral relations and exchange views on the mutual issues

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will undertake an official visit to Moscow from 29-30 January, at the invitation of Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov.

“The Foreign Minister will hold official talks with his Russian counterpart where the two sides would deliberate upon the entire spectrum of bilateral relations and exchange views on the regional and international issues of mutual interest,” the Foreign Office Spokesperson said in a statement.

The visit after the conclusion of the Pakistan-Russia Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation in Islamabad.

Pakistan and Russia reached an agreement on the supply of Russian crude oil and other oil products in a major breakthrough at a time when the country is facing a severe economic crunch.

The two sides “took the opportunity to reaffirm their commitment to a strong and comprehensive economic relationship,” said a joint statement issued after the meeting.

Both sides proceeded from the discussions and decisions of the seventh IGC and carried the process forward, as well as explored additional avenues of cooperation.

The IGC agreed to further strengthen and enhance collaboration in the fields of trade and investment, energy, communication and transport, higher education, industry, railways, finance and banking sector, customs, agriculture, science and technology, and information technology.

Both sides observed and noted “positive prospects for implementable and concrete projects in above-mentioned sectors of economy with a huge potential for the socio-economic development of both countries.”

Minister of State for Petroleum Dr Musadik Malik has said Pakistan would sign an agreement with Russia in March to get inexpensive crude oil.

“In March, all commercial terms of the agreement will be finalized with Russia, following which low-cost crude oil will start arriving in Pakistan. It will be beneficial for both countries,” he said.

He added that a ‘holistic energy security plan’ between Pakistan and Russia would be completed by the year end, encompassing Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and piped gas and other petroleum products.

He said there was another agreement under which Pakistan would be able to buy spot LNG cargoes from two companies identified by Russia during the next winter season.

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