Printer Friendly Version
PR. No.288/2008
Date: 25/09/2008
FOREIGN MINISTER'S MEETINGS ON THE SIDELINES OF UNGA IN NEW YORK
The Foreign Minster Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi today met with the Foreign Ministers of Russia and New Zealand on the sidelines of the 63 rd UN General Assembly session in New York .
In his meeting with the Russian Foreign Minister Sergei V. Lavrov, Foreign Minister Qureshi pointed to the significant political developments taking place in the region which necessitated a common understanding between Pakistan and Russia . He observed that the two countries could cooperate in a number of sectors in the economic field. These included energy, communications, gas pipeline projects, steel production and provision of defence equipment to Pakistan .
The Russian Foreign Minister said that Russia too was keen in enhancing bilateral relations with Pakistan . In this regard he suggested early holding of the meeting of the Inter Governmental Commission. The Russian gas company Gazprom, he added, would be interested in participating in the IPI project. Russia was also willing to provide equipment to bolster Pakistan 's counter terrorism capabilities.
In his meeting with the Foreign Minister of New Zealand, Mr. Phil Goff, the Foreign Minister highlighted the significant potential for cooperation in the field of education. He added that there was a lot of scope for cooperation in the area of dairy farming. The Foreign Minister of New Zealand said that his country was willing to cooperate in the field of education which was also a good way of promoting people to people contacts. He noted that his country was contributing towards bringing peace to Afghanistan through stationing of troops and reconstruction teams. New Zealand appreciated the fact that the current situation did not simply demand a military solution and that a development and economic strategy was also essential. Foreign Minister Qureshi said Pakistan was positively engaged with Afghanistan and the two countries were thinking of evolving a joint counter terrorism strategy. Pakistan had adopted a comprehensive approach to deal with terrorism and extremism which included political engagement in addition to use of force.
New York
25 September 2008 |