Pakistan, Russia agree to continue efforts for supporting Afghan-led, Afghan-own peace process

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi and his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov Wednesday agreed to continue efforts, including through Moscow Format of Consultations, for supporting reconciliation under an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process.

The agreement to this effect was reached during talks between the two foreign ministers, held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation. Recent developments concerning Afghan peace process were also discussed.

It was underlined that being the most important stakeholders, Pakistan and Russia had shared interests and concerns in Afghanistan and had the common goal of supporting all efforts to restore peace and stability in the country, a Foreign Office statement issued here said.

Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov acknowledged Pakistan’s efforts in the Afghan settlement and offered Russia’s support to bring stability in the region.

Both leaders also underscored the need to harmonise various regional approaches for developing a regional consensus on various issues.

Foreign Minister Qureshi, who was on a two-day (Dec 25-26) of the Russian Federation, was accompanied by Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua and senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Foreign Minister Qureshi led the detailed talks with Russian Foreign Minister, on various bilateral and regional issues.

He stated that Pakistan greatly valued its relations with the Russian Federation. He also expressed Government of Pakistan’s desire to forge a long-term, multidimensional partnership and friendship with Russia.

Both sides expressed satisfaction on the upward trajectory of bilateral relations.

The first meeting between Prime Minister Imran Khan and Prime Minister Dimitry Medvedev in Shanghai, in November 2018, had set the tone to deepen cooperation in all areas.

Views were also exchanged to support each other’s position in multilateral forums. It was also decided to maintain close and regular contact for strengthening understanding on important issues.