MOSCOW – Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Tuesday that Russiawill continue to assist Pakistan to bolster its counterterrorismcapabilities, and the two countries will also form a commission formilitary cooperation, *TASS link>* news agencyreported link>.
“We have confirmed Russia’s readiness to continue boosting Pakistan’scounterterrorism capacity, which is in the entire region’s interests,” hesaid while addressing a press conference with his Pakistani counterpartKhawaja Asif.
Lavrov said fighting terrorism was a priority area of Russia-Pakistancooperation, but his country also sees other opportunities for bilateraltrade and economic cooperation with Pakistan, especially in the energysector.
Noting that the two countries will form a commission on militarycooperation, the foreign minister said Russia and Pakistan will continue tohold the Druzhba (Friendship) joint military exercise.
*We cannot fight others’ wars on our soil: Asif*
Foreign Minister Asif while addressing the press conference said theproliferation of militant Islamic State (IS) group terrorists inAfghanistan is a cause of alarm for Pakistan and the IS militants who haverelocated themselves from the Middle East to northeastern Afghanistan are athreat for Pakistan, Central Asia and Russia.
He said Pakistan thinks the number of IS terrorists in Afghanistan hassurpassed the Taliban groups mentioned on a daily basis by Afghanistan andthe US.
“There is absolutely no real acknowledgement by Kabul and Washington ofsuch a large presence or proliferation of Daesh [Arabic acronym for IS] inAfghanistan.”
Asif said Pakistan asserts that a negotiated settlement is the onlysolution to the Afghan conflict, but “the Daesh presence is definitelyalarming for us because they are not a party to negotiations inAfghanistan”.
Observing that there are “monumental failures” in Afghanistan, he saidthere was an effort to scapegoat Pakistan and other countries for theshortcomings.
Pakistan has rejected those allegations, Asif said, adding: “We cannotfight others wars’ on our soil.”
The foreign minister said both Pakistan and Russia have been making effortsto promote peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan. He said Pakistansupports the “role played by Russia in developing a regional approach toAfghanistan” and its “commendable” efforts for eliminating IS.
“We remain committed to fighting the menace of terrorism in cooperationwith the international community including Russia despite our heavy humanand material losses,” he said, noting that Pakistan has lost more than70,000 people in the anti-terrorism fight.
Asif said Pakistan as a matter of principle opposes the imposition ofunilateral sanctions against any country including the Russian Federation”especially when these are politically motivated”.
According to a Foreign Office (FO) press release, Asif and his Russiancounterpart during their consultations expressed satisfaction at theincreasing bilateral cooperation between the two countries and agreed tofurther intensify efforts to deepen cooperation in all areas of mutualinterest.
Discussing the situation in Afghanistan, the two foreign ministers agreedthat there was no military solution to the conflict in that country.
They agreed to closely coordinate in all Afghanistan-related processes fora regional solution of the Afghan conflict.
The Russian diplomat also “deeply appreciated Pakistan’s efforts andsacrifices in the fight against terrorism”, the FO statement said.
*Russia ‘very preoccupied’ by IS presence in Afghanistan: Lavrov*
Talking about the Afghan conflict, Lavrov said Russia is “very preoccupied”by the increasing presence and influence of IS militants in Afghanistan.
“We are very preoccupied by what is happening in Afghanistan and by theexpansion of IS influence.”
According to Lavrov, the presence of IS in the north and east ofAfghanistan is “serious” and “already amounts to a thousand people.” Moscowis especially concerned, he said, about the security threat this createsfor neighbouring former Soviet republics and to Russia.
“This is right on the borders of our Central Asian neighbours. It increasesthe risk of terrorists entering Central Asia, from where it’s not difficultfor them to get to Russia, and further,” Lavrov said.
IS and the Taliban have staged several attacks in Afghanistan in recentweeks, including one on a luxury hotel in Kabul on January 20.
Russia has repeatedly criticised Washington’s strategy in Afghanistan,calling on the Taliban to be included in peace negotiations with the Afghangovernment. – APP /AFP