Joint Statement by President Asif Al Zardari of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and President Dimitry Medvedev of the Russian Federation May 12, 2011

(2011-05-12)

At the invitation of President Dimitry Medvedev of the Russian Federation, President Asif Ali Zardari of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan paid an official visit to the Russian Federation on May 12, 2011.

During the visit, the two sides held an in-depth discussion on the status of, and prospects for, the development of their bilateral cooperation, as well as on a number of regional and international issues.

President Zardari, on behalf of the people of Pakistan, expressed gratitude to the Russian authorities for the timely humanitarian assistance provided to Pakistan in the wake of the devastating floods last year.

The Presidents commended the considerable progress made in the political and security dialogue between Pakistan and Russia, including at the top level. There has been a notable intensification of contacts on a wide range of topics between ministries and departments of the two countries.

The Presidents emphasized the importance that they attached to promoting stability and peace in the broader region and, in this regard, to continue to enhance contacts, consultations, cooperation and coordination between the two countries.

The Presidents agreed that there exists large potential for further enhancing bilateral cooperation. The two sides agreed to focus on promotion trade, investment and pursuing joint projects, particularly in energy, infrastructure development, metal industry and agriculture. This enhanced cooperation will help develop a strong bilateral relationship based on mutual respect and mutual interest.

The two sides welcomed the signing of the Agreement between Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the Government of the Russian Federation on Air Transport, as well as the Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the Ministry of Energy of the Russian Federation.

The Presidents emphasized the importance of developing mutually beneficial economic cooperation between the two countries, which is to be promoted by the Pakistani-Russian Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation that held its first meeting in Moscow in September 2010.

They commended the Russian business community’s interest in participating together with the Pakistani Government and businesses, in a number of economic, infrastructural and banking projects. The Russian side reaffirmed the willingness of Russian companies to cooperate with Pakistan. In particular, the state-owned enterprise Tyazhpromexport is ready to take part in the modernization of the Pakistan Steel Mills in Karachi, while the INTER RAO UES would contribute to the building of energy generating facilities and Gazprom Zarubezhneftegaz to the development of gas fields in Pakistan.

The two sides agreed to promote finance and banking sector cooperation and enhance bilateral trade and investments. In this context, they agreed to study the concept of currency swap/barter arrangements, as well as of an incentives-based regime/mechanism to promote joint ventures.

The two sides also agreed to promote cooperation in the field of education, including student and academia exchanges; science and technology; health science; earth and marine sciences. They also agreed to promote cultural and increase people-to-people and parliamentary contacts and exchanges.

Discussing regional issues, the Presidents underscored the importance of stability and peace in Afghanistan and reaffirmed their support for Afghan-led and Afghan-owned efforts towards promoting national reconciliation in Afghanistan.

The Presidents expressed their deep concern about the threat of terrorism and drug-related crimes persisting in the region.

The Presidents underlined the importance of joint efforts to fight terrorism as well as drug-related crimes-representing a serious challenge to the international peace and stability – along the whole chain of illegal production and distribution of drugs. The two sides welcomed the signing, in October 2010, of the Agreement between the Ministry of Narcotics Control of Pakistan and the Federal Drug Control Service of Russia on Cooperation in Combating illicit Trafficking of Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and their precursors.

The President recognized the need for promoting trans-regional economic and trade cooperation. Regional development projects would ensure prosperity for the peoples of the region, and it was important to optimally utilize national economic complementarities. They agreed to coordinate their efforts bilaterally, as well as through regional multilateral cooperative mechanisms.

In this regard, the two sides expressed keen interest in the implementation of projects related to the creation of a system to transmit electric power from Tajikistan to Afghanistan and Pakistan (CASA-1000) and to the building of a gas pipeline between Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India. The President of Pakistan supported Russia’s offer to participate in those projects and underscored the need for carly realization of these projects.

The Russian side welcomed Pakistan’s involvement in the activities of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). Russia’s support for Pakistan’s joining the SCO along with other candidates was reaffirmed subject to the consent of all its members.

The Presidents reiterated the importance that two countries attached to the quadrilateral process (Russian Federation, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Afghanistan) and reaffirmed their commitment to further interaction in this format in close cooperation with the SCO.

President Medvedev accepted with appreciation President Zardari’s invitation to visit Pakistan on mutually convenient dates.

Signed on May 12, 2011 in Moscow, Russian Federation.

Islamabad
12 May 2011

160/2011