By Shakir Husain
NEW DELHI, Sept 19 (Bernama) -- Pakistan and Russia are seeking to forge closer economic relations and discussed the prospects of a regional free trade agreement (FTA).
Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar and Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk on Wednesday noted "the positive momentum" in Pakistan-Russia relations and agreed to grow engagements in various sectors including conducting trade in national currencies.
"They agreed to pursue robust dialogue and cooperation in the areas of trade, industry, energy, connectivity, science, technology, and education," Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.
Dar thanked Russia for supporting Pakistan's bid to become a member of the BRICS group.
"Strengthening mutually beneficial cooperation with the Russian Federation remains an important priority in our foreign policy," Dar said during a joint press conference.
He said Pakistan-Russia annual trade has crossed US$1 billion.
"Energy cooperation holds potential, and we aim to explore this avenue further," he said.
Pakistan and Russia are eager to develop connectivity projects as part of the multinational transport corridors and to increase cooperation on multilateral platforms, including the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and the United Nations.
The Pakistan deputy prime minister noted close cooperation with Russia in achieving peace and stability in Afghanistan.
He praised Russia's stance against Islamophobia and the abuse of "freedom of speech" in the West to target Islam.
Overchuk said his discussions with Dar covered conducting more transactions in national currencies.
He said they looked at the prospects of increasing cooperation between Pakistan and the five-member Eurasian Economic Union, which comprises Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic and Russia.
"We have discussed the opportunities for implementing a free trade agreement (FTA) between Pakistan and the five countries," Overchuk said.
On the issue of BRICS enlargement, the Russian minister said there is "strong and huge interest from countries throughout the world" to join it.
-- BERNAMA
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