Russian PM in Pakistan

[Awesome]

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-04/12/content_5965645.htm

ISLAMABAD, April 11 (Xinhua) -- Russian Prime Minister Mikhail E. Fradkov arrived Wednesday in Pakistan for a three-day visit, the state-run Pakistan Television reported.

During the visit, Pakistan and Russia are likely to sign agreements on bilateral cooperation in different fields, Pakistan's Foreign Ministry has said.

The agreements are expected to cover railways, narcotics control and exchanges in cultural, educational, sports and scientific fields, according to a statement issued recently by the Foreign Ministry.

The two sides are also expected to announce the reactivation of the Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation.

"The major focus of the visit would be on bilateral relations with particular emphasis on ways and means to enhance economic cooperation," the statement has said.

Pakistan and Russia see good prospects for joint collaboration in sectors such as oil and gas, railways, construction of coal, thermal and hydro power generation, the statement said.

hmmmmmmmmm

 

[Neo]

We could gain a lot if we play the cards correctly. :toast:

Pakistan supports Russia’s efforts to create multi-polar world

12.04.2007, 13.17

ISLAMABAD, April 12 (Itar-Tass) - Pakistan supports Russia’s efforts to create a balance of forces in the world. The very stance “makes it possible to solve conflict situations and ensure world progress,” Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz of Pakistan said at a meeting of the two countries’ governmental delegations on Thursday.

The meeting is underway in Islamabad on Thursday within the framework of an official visit of Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov to Pakistan.

“Pakistan supports the idea of creating a multi-polar world which allows to solve many problems in the world, including security problems,” Aziz stressed.

“The state, the government and all people of Pakistan, including me, sincerely rejoice at your visit.” “Warmness of our feelings is connected not only with warm weather, but, first of all, with the warmness which is being irradiated by our hearts,” the prime minister said welcoming Mikhail Fradkov in Islamabad.

http://www.itar-tass.com/eng/level2.html?NewsID=11426621&PageNum=0

 

[Adux]

***** India watching very closely

 

[Awesome]

India has come off too eager to form bonds with the west. Russia must have observed this, as well. Russia has lost a lot of its old friends either to wars or to tempting offers dangled by the west.

We have to capitalize on this. It's not so hard. One nation is showing them a lot of attitude and the other's warmly welcoming them, the impact should be swift. Pakistan should start some sort of military exercises with the Russians. That always brings the armed forces together.

 

[Awesome]

Fradkov visiting Pakistan

Vladimir Radyuhin

MOSCOW: Russia's Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov is visiting Pakistan this week in a sign of a new warming in frosty bilateral ties. It will be the first visit by a Russian Prime Minister to Pakistan in nearly four decades.

During a two-day visit, Mr. Fradkov will call on President Pervez Musharraf, hold talks with Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, and address a meeting of businessmen of the two countries.

Mr. Fradkov's talks will focus on ways of stepping up trade and economic links between Russia and Pakistan, a Russian government source told the RIA Novosti wire service.

"Our economic interaction is very modest, but has very serious prospects," the source said. Bilateral trade stood at $411 million last year, up from $278 million a year earlier. Relations between Russia and Pakistan, frozen after Islamabad supported Afghan militants fighting Russian military intervention in Afghanistan in the 1980s, have been improving recently.

China built planes

Gen. Musharraf visited Russia in 2003, after which Russia sold Pakistan Mi-171 dual-use transport helicopters. Moscow appears to have closed its eyes to the supply of China-built JF-17 fighter planes powered by Russian engines, which began last month in violation of a Russian ban on the re-export of the engines.

http://www.hindu.com/2007/04/12/stories/2007041204061400.htm

 

[Interceptor]

That is good news from the Russians they are allowing the engines. Then the JF-17 project is successful and no Indian sabotage.

 

[Neo]

Stronger ties with Russia

THE Russian prime minister’s visit to Pakistan is an event to be taken note of. As has been conventionally the case, Russia-Pakistan relations have to be seen not just in the bilateral context; they assume greater importance against the backdrop of regional developments in South Asia and the global geopolitical scenario. Since 1968 when we had the last visit by a prime minister from Moscow — namely Alexei Kosygin — much water has flowed down the Indus. There has been a reversal in the ebb in relations between the two countries that was witnessed during the East Pakistan crisis in 1971 and later in the 1980s when Soviet troops intervened in Afghanistan. But the two countries have yet to forge strong political and socio-economic bonds that would make an impact on the foreign policy of Pakistan. A small step in that direction was taken on Thursday with the signing of several bilateral agreements in Islamabad, such as the accord on cooperation in combating human trafficking and smuggling of drugs, the MOUs on cooperation in the upgradation of Pakistan Railways, and the agreement on the promotion of educational, cultural and scientific exchanges. More significantly, the two sides agreed on the need to reactivate their intergovernmental commission which is the most effective way of expanding bilateral ties.

The important aspect of this diplomatic exercise was that prime ministers Mikhail Fradkov and Shaukat Aziz recognised the significance of Russia-Pakistan relations in the global context, especially the war against terror in which Islamabad is a key partner of the US. Linked to it is the international politics of South Asia in which India and Pakistan are the main players. With the break-up of the USSR in 1991 and the far-reaching changes that have come about in international relations in the wake of 9/11 and the Bush administration’s hegemonistic approach, Third World states have been left in a vulnerable position — at the mercy of a superpower determined to wreak havoc on any country that does not toe its line. What is now being seen as the resurgence of Russia after more than a decade of economic depression, strategic weakening and political volatility is a major development in international politics of the 21st century. Mr Fradkov’s statements in Islamabad clearly indicated Russia’s desire to build a “concrete and long-standing partnership” with Pakistan.

This can help Pakistan in many ways. For instance, Russia has adopted an independent line vis-à-vis Iran on the nuclear issue. It does not see eye to eye with Washington on the IPI project either. Its ties with New Delhi have traditionally been cordial. All this translates into new openings for Pakistan. The government should use this opportunity to loosen the American apron strings to which it has tied itself. Pakistan should also enlist Russia’s cooperation and good offices in strengthening its position in South Asia, especially in promoting détente with India. With China also rising as a power to be reckoned with on the world stage, the pattern of global power should change. For Pakistan this provides a new opening. Its immediate concern is the struggle it has to wage against the Islamist militants whose shadow is now lengthening in the country. By distancing itself from America without weakening its capability to counter terrorism on its own soil, Islamabad can reduce the disadvantage it suffers at present because of its being overly dependent on the US.

http://www.dawn.com/2007/04/14/ed.htm#1

 

[Contrarian]

One thing, though this is a very important development. I do not think that Russia would open up its offensive platforms for sale to Pakistan, not unless India's ties with Russia practically break off.

 

[Neo]

Friday, April 13, 2007

Fradkov calls for increasing Pakistan-Russia trade

ISLAMABAD: Russian Prime Minister Mikhael Fradkov on Thursday stressed on Pakistan and Russia to exploit the substantial trade potential between them for the betterment of their economies.

He was addressing the leading businessmen from Pakistan and Russia at a luncheon meeting hosted by Minister for Privatisation and Investment Zahid Hamid here.

On the occasion, two Memoranda of Understanding were signed between the private sector of Pakistan and Russia - One on automobile joint venture between Kamas (Russia) and Bibo Jee (Pakistan), and the other on fertilizers between Fauji Fertilizers (Pakistan) and Agro Chemicals of Russia.

Russian Prime Minister expressed commitment to enhance bilateral relations with Pakistan, saying that establishing a substantive economic agenda would mutually benefit the two countries.

Fradkov termed his meeting with Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz an “important step” in strengthening bilateral relations between Pakistan and Russia with special focus on cementing economic ties.

He urged the need for improving business-to-business contacts between the two countries for the exchange of essential trade information.

Minister for Privatisation Zahid Hamid said Pakistan attached high importance to its relations with Russia and termed Russian Prime Minister’s visit to Pakistan an indication of the growing relationship based on mutual trust and cooperation.

He welcomed Russian participation in various sectors of Pakistan including oil and gas sector, and mentioned the interest shown by Gazprom and other companies in oil and gas exploration and the Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline project.

The minister said Pakistan government’s liberal and attractive investment policy offered a level playing field for both foreign and local investors.

He said the bilateral trade presently stood at $520 million, which was heavily in favour of Russia, adding there was a considerable scope for increasing Pakistani export to Russia.

He mentioned the country’s Foreign Direct Investment increased by more than 10 times from $322 million in 2000-01 to $3.5 billion in 2005-06, with total foreign investment crossing $3.8 billion, the highest level in country’s history.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\04\13\story_13-4-2007_pg5_2

 

[genmirajborgza786]

MASHA'ALLAH very good news Pakistan should utilize this opportunity i mean this is a visit by a RUSSIAN PRIME MINISTER SINCE 1968! this itself speaks for its value specially at a time where there is so much going on in the international stage in GEOPOLITICS as Noe said Pakistan can gain a lot FROM it Pakistan just has to play the right card's and siege the opportunities that can be avail through this long over-due NEW WINDOW THAT IS FINALLY OPENING SO LETS GRAB IT & MAKE THE VERY BEST OF IT

long live RUSSIAN-Pakistan ties
long live SINO-PAK ties

Pakistan zindabad

 

[ARSENAL6]

so now we got
US , China, Japan and Russia !

 

[ARSENAL6]

I think we need to tread carefully with russia since it marked a black spot on Pakistan on two occasians

1) making US bases for CIA to spy on the Soviet which led to thier down fall
2) Afganstan in the eighties

 

[Always Neutral]

Definately a good beginning but Pakistan will be right up there when Putin or his succesor visits Pakistan. I doubt that will happen till the 126 aircraft tender battle is over in India.

Regards

 

[Bull]

So all of you want the rusty russian toys now!!! lol...hypocrytes.

 

[Skull-Buster]

So all of you want the rusty russian toys now!!! lol...hypocrytes.

where did anyone in this thread want the rusty russian toys?