Pakistan sees positive change in Russian ties

Pakistan said Thursday that its relationship with Russia has recently witnessed a positive change in the wake of high level bilateral visits. The Foreign Ministry spokesman Muazzam Khan said that the recent visit of Russian Foreign Minister to Islamabad and the visit to Moscow by Pakistani Army Chief, General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, could be seen in the context of improvement in bilateral relations. He told a weekly press briefing that the Army Chief held constructive talks with the military establishment in Russia. He said there is desire on both sides to take forward the relationship. When asked about new dates for the visit of Russian President, he said Russian President Vladimir Putin in a letter to Pakistani President Zardari had expressed his keenness to have a meeting with President Zardari soon. "Both countries are working on new dates. However no date has yet been finalized". Putin was scheduled to attend quadrilateral summit in Islamabad in the first week of October but the visit was postponed due to his engagement at home. Khan said the visit of Russian Foreign Minister to Islamabad remained productive as talks with him covered cooperation in diverse fields including economy and trade. He admitted that there are difficult issues between Pakistan and India, but said there is desire on both sides to address all the outstanding issues in a meaningful manner. He said both countries are capable enough to address their issues bilaterally. "However, if Russia, the U.S. or China is willing to play good role in addressing the issues between Pakistan and India, they are welcome." Regarding Syria-Turkey tension, the spokesman said Pakistan has condemned the Syrian shelling into Turkey. He hoped that Syrian government will take action to avert such incidents in future. Referring to the tense situation in Syria, he said Pakistan wants peaceful resolution of this issue without any coercive measures. Asked whether the appointment of American General as the new NATO Commander in Afghanistan will help reduce cross border attacks, he said Pakistan has time and again raised the issue of cross border infiltration with the Afghan authorities and ISAF. He, however, was pessimistic that the new appointment will make major difference. On the response of international community to the Taliban attack on 14-year-old girls rights campaigner Malala Yousafzai, he said countries including the United States have strongly condemned this reprehensible act. He said Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar had also condemned the attack as an attack on the future and hope of Pakistan.