ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif on Monday headed to Russia on afour-day visit to discuss regional security and other issues of mutualinterest with the Russian leadership.

The foreign minister embarked on the trip to Russia at the invitation ofhis Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov.

During his stay in Moscow, he will hold official talks with Russian foreignminister Lavrov.

His visit coincides with the plenary sessions of the Financial Action TaskForce (FATF), a global anti-money laundering watchdog, ongoing in Paris toreview proposals including the one seeking to put Pakistan on a watch listof countries which have failed to prevent terrorist financing.

In the wake of a motion put forward by the US to put Pakistan on thegrey-list, Islamabad has been lobbying with Russia and other allies tofrustrate the move.

The two sides would deliberate upon the entire spectrum of bilateralrelations as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest,the state-run Radio Pakistan reported.

The visit would provide opportunity to explore ways and means to furtherstrengthen cooperation in political, economic, trade and investment,defence, education and cultural fields.

Russia enjoys a special place in Pakistan’s foreign policy. The relationsbetween the two countries have been growing steadily in all fields.

Regular high level exchanges between the two countries in the last fewyears is a manifestation of mutual desire of both sides for translatingpolitical good will into a substantive and multidimensional partnership.

The two countries are also celebrating the 70th anniversary ofestablishment of diplomatic relations this year.