News
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
‘Russia trying to contribute to uplift in Pakistan’Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: A Round Table was organised by the Center for International Strategic Studies (CISS) on “Pakistan-Russia Strategic Dialogue.”
Political Counsellor at the Russian Embassy, Islamabad, Andrey Shabalin, was the speaker. Shabalin has over fifteen years of experience in dealing with arms control, non-proliferation and global security issues.
In his talk, he said Russia intended to cooperate with Pakistan in energy sector, economic projects and counter terrorism as much as possible. Formation of inter-governmental working groups on trade, economics and countering terrorism are under consideration. Pakistan and Russia have taken almost the same approach on a number of issues as Improvised Explosive Devices (IED); proposed treaty on military business-operation of satellites in outer space, and proposed international code of conduct on drones operations.
He further said Russia was trying to help Pakistan in upgrading Pakistan Steel Mills, Muzzafar Garh and Guddo power projects and increasing the power generation capacity at Tarbella.
“Establishment of Pak-Russian Business Council and interaction between the business communities of the two states is also under consideration”. Shabalin, while speaking on the Syrian issue, said International law did not authorise intervention in any state even it is for humanitarian purposes. Western states stance on attacking Syria is seen as unjust by both Pakistan and Russia.
Ambassador Ali Sarwar Naqvi, Executive Director at CISS, observed that the round table dialogue was the first step towards strengthened and sustainable relationship between Pakistan and Russia at the think-tanks level.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk