Scientific cooperation between Pakistan, Russia: Cabinet to consider summary today

Prime Minister, Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, is said to have rejected a summary moved by the Science and Technology Ministry, seeking his prior clearance to discuss and negotiate Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Russian authorities during the forthcoming visit of President Asif Ali Zardari to that country in May 2011.
The federal cabinet, which is scheduled to meet on Wednesday (today) with prime minister in the chair, will consider the summary allowing the Ministry, in principle, to initiate the MoU on scientific and technological co-operation between Pakistan and Russian Federation.
Official documents reveal that the first session of the Russian Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Co-operation held on September 21, 2010 in Moscow recommended co-operation in the fields of science and technology between the two countries and to pursue user oriented scientific and technological research in collaboration with the Russian S&T organisations.
Subsequently a 16 member delegation led by Russian Minister for Science and Education participated in the 14th General Assembly of the OIC Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Co-operation (COMSTECH) in Islamabad from 11-13 January, 2011.
The Russian Federation has a status of an observer state in COMSTECH. During bilateral talks held on the sidelines of the COMSTECH General Assembly, both sides expressed keen interest in initially co-operating by sharing scientific information and developing a framework of co-operation in the fields of science and technology later. According to documents, as a follow up and on the advice of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a draft MoU on scientific and technological co-operation was proposed.
"The MoU was intended to be discussed and negotiated for signing during the visit of President of Pakistan to the Russian Federation in May 2011. A summary was sent to the Prime Minister seeking his approval for negotiation and signing of the MoU was also pursued under Rule 16 sub rule 2 of Rules of Business 1973. Prime Minister advised that MoU be placed in the next cabinet meeting for its consideration," the documents further disclose. Now the MoU will be negotiated during the second session of the Inter-Governmental Commission scheduled in Islamabad in a couple of days.
The draft MoU on scientific and technological co-operation between Pakistan and Russian Federation provides for promotion of co-operation in the fields of science and technology through: (i) exchange of visits of research scientists, engineers, technocrats and specialists; (ii) exchange of scientific and technological information and documentation; (iii) organisation of joint seminars and workshops and training courses in the fields of mutual interest; and (d) organisation of joint research projects in the priority fields of science and technology.
The priority areas of co-operation as well as mechanism of co-ordination between the two sides have been provided in the MoU for its implementation. It will remain valid for 5 years and shall automatically be renewed for successive periods.