Russia will continue to assist Pakistan in the fight against terrorism, including through joint exercises, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an interview with Pakistani newspaper The News International.
"In the field of bilateral relations, our priorities are well known. These are primarily cooperation in the fight against terrorism and trade and economic ties. We will continue to assist in strengthening the anti-terrorist potential of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan's security agencies through joint exercises, including Friendship and the Arabian Monsoon," he said.
The Minister noted that friendly, constructive relations have been established between Moscow and Islamabad, based on proximity of approaches to the most pressing issues on the international and regional agenda. "Among them are the problems of strategic stability and, of course, Afghanistan. Suffice it to say that during the 75th session of the UN General Assembly the Pakistani partners supported all the draft resolutions submitted by Russia, and co-sponsored most of them," Lavrov added.
"And, of course, we appreciate Islamabad's contribution to promoting national reconciliation in Afghanistan, including through the mechanism of the expanded troika," the Russian Foreign Minister pointed out. - "I note that our states are consistent supporters of resolving conflicts, including in the Middle East and North Africa, exclusively by political and diplomatic means in compliance with the principles of the UN Charter".
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov arrived in Islamabad on Tuesday on a working visit. This is Lavrov's first visit to Pakistan since 2012. On Wednesday, the Russian Foreign Minister will hold talks with his Pakistani counterpart and the country's top political and military leaders.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Russian Foreign Ministry
Based on materials from TASS