Pakistan, Russia 60-year ties celebrated
By Ishrat Hyatt
5/2/2008
Islamabad As we walked into the cool confines of the Russian Embassys main hall, a pictorial history of the ties between Pakistan and Russia unfolded in the guise of photographs lining a side-wall and arranged on screens placed adjacent to it. Gradually shifting from the early black and white classics to the ones in colour, these pictures tell the story of Pakistan-Russian cordial bilateral relations from the ones with Presidents Ayub and Khrushchev; the Bhuttos father and daughter to Presidents Putin and Musharraf and a galaxy of other VIPs in-between. Ending the display were framed pages from a magazine article by Rani Haider, who lived in Moscow when her brother represented the country. Mellifluous Moscow read the headlines saying it all very succinctly! Expressing thanks and extending a warm welcome to guests on his own behalf as well as other members of the embassy, Ambassador of the Russian Federation Sergei Peskov said it was a great joy to be celebrating the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Pakistan and Russia. He was speaking at a reception he hosted on the occasion which was attended by Pakistanis from different walks of life; members of the Russian embassy and envoys of the CARs. The guest of honour was Minister for Foreign Affairs Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Ambassador Peskov said it was a great honour that he had agreed to accept their invitation, as Pakistani and Russian diplomats play a major role in the development of bilateral relations. Elaborating on the co-operation between the two countries, Ambassador Peskov said the history of our relations proved that they are not of a time-serving nature; both countries actively interact on many urgent and vital international problems and act within the framework of international organisations. He spoke of the positive shifts in trade and economic co-operation with the turnover increasing more than five times and the future looking bright for further expansion in many sectors. He concluded with hopes for developing a mutually beneficial, stronger co-operation with a country which has a growing influence in the region, within the Muslim Ummah and all over the world. In his response the chief guest said Pakistan values its relations with Russia, the two countries sharing common views and perceptions on many world issues which is a manifestation of the understanding that exists at the political and transcends the official level. Extending his best wishes to president-elect, Dmitri Medyedev who will assume charge soon, he reiterated that Pakistan attaches importance to its regional groupings; appreciating Russias support to Pakistan in acquiring observer status in the SCO. Elaborating on the many bilateral issues the two countries are working on or expanding he concluded by saying there were long distances to cover for co-operation in the political; economical; strategic; defence and cultural fields. WE stand resolved to take Pakistan-Russian relations to new heights while expecting similar enthusiasm from the Russian government and people. Long live the Pakistan-Russian relationship. The national anthems of both countries were played and a cake cut before dinner was served and guests enjoyed the rest of the evening in conversation and looking at and discussing the photo display some guests voicing the opinion that it was Russia and not the US we should embrace as our close ally!
Pakistan, Russia 60-year ties celebrated
By Ishrat Hyatt
5/2/2008
Islamabad As we walked into the cool confines of the Russian Embassys main hall, a pictorial history of the ties between Pakistan and Russia unfolded in the guise of photographs lining a side-wall and arranged on screens placed adjacent to it. Gradually shifting from the early black and white classics to the ones in colour, these pictures tell the story of Pakistan-Russian cordial bilateral relations from the ones with Presidents Ayub and Khrushchev; the Bhuttos father and daughter to Presidents Putin and Musharraf and a galaxy of other VIPs in-between. Ending the display were framed pages from a magazine article by Rani Haider, who lived in Moscow when her brother represented the country. Mellifluous Moscow read the headlines saying it all very succinctly! Expressing thanks and extending a warm welcome to guests on his own behalf as well as other members of the embassy, Ambassador of the Russian Federation Sergei Peskov said it was a great joy to be celebrating the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Pakistan and Russia. He was speaking at a reception he hosted on the occasion which was attended by Pakistanis from different walks of life; members of the Russian embassy and envoys of the CARs. The guest of honour was Minister for Foreign Affairs Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Ambassador Peskov said it was a great honour that he had agreed to accept their invitation, as Pakistani and Russian diplomats play a major role in the development of bilateral relations. Elaborating on the co-operation between the two countries, Ambassador Peskov said the history of our relations proved that they are not of a time-serving nature; both countries actively interact on many urgent and vital international problems and act within the framework of international organisations. He spoke of the positive shifts in trade and economic co-operation with the turnover increasing more than five times and the future looking bright for further expansion in many sectors. He concluded with hopes for developing a mutually beneficial, stronger co-operation with a country which has a growing influence in the region, within the Muslim Ummah and all over the world. In his response the chief guest said Pakistan values its relations with Russia, the two countries sharing common views and perceptions on many world issues which is a manifestation of the understanding that exists at the political and transcends the official level. Extending his best wishes to president-elect, Dmitri Medyedev who will assume charge soon, he reiterated that Pakistan attaches importance to its regional groupings; appreciating Russias support to Pakistan in acquiring observer status in the SCO. Elaborating on the many bilateral issues the two countries are working on or expanding he concluded by saying there were long distances to cover for co-operation in the political; economical; strategic; defence and cultural fields. WE stand resolved to take Pakistan-Russian relations to new heights while expecting similar enthusiasm from the Russian government and people. Long live the Pakistan-Russian relationship. The national anthems of both countries were played and a cake cut before dinner was served and guests enjoyed the rest of the evening in conversation and looking at and discussing the photo display some guests voicing the opinion that it was Russia and not the US we should embrace as our close ally!
Pakistan, Russia 60-year ties celebrated
