ISLAMABAD, 13 April 2007 — Pakistan and Russia signed a number of agreements yesterday pertaining to trade, narcotics control and cultural cooperation after talks between visiting Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov and his Pakistani counterpart, Shaukat Aziz, in Islamabad.
They pledged to boost cooperation in fighting drug trafficking and explore opportunities for increasing trade and investment. Prime Minister Fradkov and Aziz oversaw the signing of the agreements after their talks.
“Russia is a global player and we want to expand and enhance relations between our two countries. This will have to proceed step by step so that we build the relations on a stronger and long-term foundation,” Aziz told reporters at a briefing with Fradkov.
Pakistan and Russia have agreed to finalize a bilateral investment treaty as soon as possible and also aim for an agreement to avoid double taxation to facilitate their private sectors, Aziz said.
Aziz said they had also discussed the possibility of using Iran to cut the transit time for goods between Russia and Pakistan. He did not elaborate.
Trade between Pakistan and Russia in 2005-06 was worth $512 million, heavily tilted in Russia’s favor with $459 million of exports to Pakistan, official figures show.
Fradkov said the potential existed for much more. “Today we want to send a clear signal to our business community that they need to intensify their relations,” Fradkov said, speaking through an interpreter, on the second day of his three-day visit. The Russian prime minister flew into Islamabad late Wednesday.
“The emphasis during the visit would be on establishing a substantive economic agenda to the mutual benefit of both countries,” a Foreign Ministry statement earlier said.
The Pakistani Foreign Ministry, however, said “good prospects exist” for collaboration between Pakistan and Russia in oil and gas and the construction of coal, thermal and hydroelectric power plants.
“The two countries are committed to establishing a strong relationship based on solid foundations,” it said.
Fradkov is due to meet President Pervez Musharraf today.
Pakistan and the then Soviet Union were in opposing camps during the Cold War when Pakistan was supported by the United States and China and the Soviet Union backed Pakistan’s main rival, India.
Relations deteriorated sharply in the 1980s when Pakistan supported Mujahedeen battling Soviet troops in Afghanistan.
But ties have warmed since Musharraf made a landmark visit to Russia in February 2003, the first by a Pakistani leader in 30 years.
Fradkov and Aziz said they had also discussed regional and international issues, including Iran, Afghanistan and the Middle East.
