Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matvienko meets with Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif.
During her official visit to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Speaker of the Federation Council Valentina Matvienko had a meeting with Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif.
The dialogue encompassed the further development of Russian-Pakistani trade, economic, and investment cooperation, alongside current international matters.
During a meeting with journalists following the visit, Valentina Matvienko observed that, at the governmental level, Pakistan is resolute in its intention to expand the full spectrum of relations with Russia. ”This is a firm position of Pakistan,“ she said.
The discussions with the Prime Minister were highly informative and substantive, the Federation Council Speaker elaborated. ”At the level of heads of the two states, promising areas of interaction were identified. We deliberated on the specifics of these projects. It is important that, in early December, the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation will convene a meeting. The areas have been delineated, and the goals and objectives are transparent. It will be essential to evaluate specific projects, their timelines, business involvement, and to develop operational mechanisms,“ the Speaker emphasised.
Russia and Pakistan exhibit a very positive growth trajectory in their trade turnover, which has exceeded $1 billion, and this trend persists this year, Valentina Matvienko remarked. ”However, there are indeed far more opportunities, particularly in areas such as energy, industry, agriculture, logistics, and transportation,“ she believes.
”We have proposed, considering Pakistan's substantial transit and transport potential, the creation of a dedicated working group within the Intergovernmental Commission to implement international transport corridor projects. Russia holds an interest in this,“ the Speaker asserted, adding that the Prime Minister of Pakistan highly esteemed the first Pakistan-Russia Trade and Investment Forum. ”This forum presents an excellent opportunity to establish contacts, including for small and medium-sized businesses. This practice should continue, and the business dialogue should be supported in every conceivable manner,“ the Speaker stated.
Moreover, Valentina Matvienko informed that the Prime Minister expressed his intention to revisit the resumption of operations at the steel mills in Karachi, which was originally constructed by the Soviet Union and became a symbol of Russian-Pakistani friendship. ”It is presently obsolete, and a new plant is proposed to be constructed on its foundation. Pakistan is inviting Russia to participate. This could represent a favourable investment project for our business. This matter will be thoroughly examined.“
According to Valentina Matvienko, Russia and Pakistan share congruent stances on major international agenda issues. ”This alignment allows us to expand contacts to ensure security in the macro-region, encompassing the fight against terrorism, extremism, and the drug menace. Pakistan assumes a very important role in these matters.“
Last year marked the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations, the Speaker recalled. ”Bilateral relations between Russia and Pakistan are inherently valuable and have evolved into a significant factor for stability in Asia.“
In recent years, the countries have attained an unprecedented level of political dialogue between heads of state, governments, and parliaments, the Speaker emphasised. ”It is now feasible to make a breakthrough in trade and economic cooperation. All conditions for this are in place, including the political will of the leadership of the two countries. Concrete steps are required, and we shall advance,“ Valentina Matvienko said.
The Federation Council Speaker contends that the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Federation Council and the Senate of Pakistan will assist in more clearly defining the role and place of parliaments in supporting all projects and areas of cooperation that are actively developing. ”I view the future of Russian-Pakistani relations with great optimism,“ concluded Valentina Matvienko.
The Federation Council delegation visited the Islamic Republic of Pakistan from 27 to 29 October 2024. Valentina Matvienko met with the country's leadership and members of the Pakistani parliament.
The delegation included Deputy Speaker of the Federation Council Konstantin Kosachev, First Deputy Chair of the Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs Andrey Denisov, First Deputy Chair of the Federation Council Committee on Defence and Security and Head of the Group on Cooperation between the Federation Council and the Senate of Pakistan Vladimir Chizhov, Deputy Chair of the Federation Council Committee on Science, Education and Culture Lyudmila Skakovskaya, Deputy Chair of the Federation Council Committee on the Budget and Financial Markets Mukharby Ulbashev, and Deputy Chair of the Federation Council Committee on Economic Policy and member of the Group on Cooperation between the Federation Council and the Senate of Pakistan Yury Fedorov.