ISLAMABAD: Scholars at a seminar urged further cementing Pak-Russiarelations with an economic overview, calling for adopting a pattern ofChina, Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which has provided a new impetusto Pak-China relations.
Giving an overview of Pak-Russia bilateral relations during the one-dayseminar titled “Evolving Regional Dynamics and Future of Pakistan-RussiaRelations”, Islamabad Policy Research Institute President Ambassador KhanHasham Bin Saddique stressed that there are common areas of cooperationbetween Pakistan and Russia such as combating terrorism, bilateral trade,economic cooperation and stability in the region, especially with regard toAfghanistan.
“As Asia emerges as a hub of economic corridors, Pakistan offers attractiveeconomic opportunities to the regional countries and beyond. CPEC, a pilotproject of Chinese Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a case in point.Initiatives like Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI), CentralAsian Region Economic Cooperation (CAREC) and ideas like South-Southcooperation can provide a foundational basis for greater regionalhomogeneity and integration,” he stated.
He said Pakistan, being an energy-scarce country, could benefit fromenergy-rich Russia, as that can boost mutual trade and cooperation.
Dr Sergei A. Baranov, Counsellor from the Embassy of the RussianFederation, reiterated that Pakistan is first and foremost an importantpartner for Russia.
“The significance of Pakistan is determined by its role in regionalpolitics, its influence in the Muslim world and its geostrategic position.Interaction with Pakistan in the framework of the Shanghai CooperationOrganization (SCO), as a full-fledged member, is very important for Russiato carry out cross-regional economic, energy and infrastructure projects,and we are very glad that Pakistan is practically engaged in SCO,especially in joint counterterrorism efforts,” he added.
Dr Baranov highlighted how recent years have witnessed steadfast progressin bilateral relations with leaders from both countries meeting regularlyto exchange views on key issues of regional and bilateral importance.
“Such meetings give an added impetus to our mutually beneficialpartnership,” he remarked, pointed out that the economic dimension ofPak-Russian cooperation has not corresponded to its potential.
“The low level of direct business ties and insufficient knowledge ofRussia’s and Pakistan’s business communities about each other’scapabilities remain weak points. In this regard, great expectations arepinned on the Russian-Pakistani Intergovernmental Commission on Trade andEconomic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation, which has identifiedpriority avenues of our business and investment cooperation,” he said
The counsellor said Russia was keen to develop strong business-to-businesscontacts with Pakistan, besides making sincere efforts to explore mutualtrade potential.