Russian FM to visit Pakistan Tomorrow

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will pay a two-day official visit to Pakistan on Wednesday at the invitation of his Pakistani counterpart Hina Rabbani Khar, the Pakistani Foreign Ministry said in a statement. "The forthcoming visit of Foreign Minister Lavrov would provide an opportunity to further expand and intensify the existing mutually beneficial bilateral ties," the statement said. "The two countries also share the common objective of peace and stability in the broader region and attach importance to regional connectivity both in terms of trade and energy cooperation," it added. Besides holding bilateral consultations with Minister Hina, Lavrov is also scheduled to call on Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf. The announcement of Lavrov’s visit coincided with the signing of three memoranda of understanding between the two countries relating to expansion of Pakistan Steel Mills and cooperation in railways and water and power sector projects. Also Wednesday, Pakistan Army chief Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani will visit Moscow at the invitation his Russian counterpart.