MANILA: Pakistan and Russia have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation in trade, energy, connectivity and other areas, while enhancing coordination on regional and global issues through multilateral forums.
The understanding was reached during a meeting between Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Wednesday on the sidelines of the 33rd ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Ministerial Meeting in Manila.
According to an official statement, the two leaders reviewed the current state of Pakistan-Russia relations and underscored the importance of sustained high-level engagement to further deepen bilateral ties. They also exchanged views on key regional and international developments and agreed to remain in close contact to advance cooperation across areas of mutual interest.
The meeting highlighted both countries’ shared commitment to expanding collaboration in economic development, energy, trade, connectivity and diplomatic engagement.
Earlier, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar arrived in Manila to lead Pakistan’s delegation at the 33rd ASEAN Regional Forum Ministerial Meeting. He was received at the airport by Elmer G. Cato, Assistant Secretary of the Office of Intelligence and Security Services (OISS) at the Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the Philippines Asima Rabbani, and senior officials from the Embassy of Pakistan.
The ministerial gathering brings together foreign ministers and senior representatives from the 27 member states of the ASEAN Regional Forum, along with the Secretary-General of ASEAN, to discuss pressing political and security challenges facing the Asia-Pacific region.
During the forum, Senator Dar is expected to participate in discussions focused on promoting regional peace, stability, security and cooperation through dialogue and diplomacy. On the sidelines of the meeting, he is also scheduled to hold bilateral talks with his Philippine counterpart and several other foreign ministers to further strengthen Pakistan’s diplomatic and economic engagement with partner countries.
The Pakistan-Russia meeting reflects the growing momentum in bilateral relations as both countries seek to broaden cooperation in strategic sectors, particularly energy, trade and regional connectivity, while enhancing collaboration on issues of mutual regional and international interest.
