ISLAMABAD: Russia has said it strongly supports the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as it is crucial for the Pakistan economy and regional connectivity.
This was stated by Russian Ambassador to Pakistan Alexey Y Dedov in an interview with the Radio Pakistan. He pointed out that the CPEC was a component of China’s Silk Road project and his country was also working on a similar Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) and China and Russia were holding discussions to merge the two projects.
On the north-south gas pipeline project of Pakistan, the Russian ambassador said they were eager to realize the project at the soonest. He said the two countries had already signed an agreement for its construction and now they were working out a commercial contract. He said as soon as it was done, Russia would start implementation of the pipeline project. He said a joint working group had been created in this regard. It had had two meetings and a third one would be held soon.
The ambassador said the two countries were cooperating in different areas, but there was a need to enhance the volume of bilateral trade. He expressed satisfaction that the data for the first 10 months of the current year indicated an upward trend in bilateral trade.
To a question, he said Pakistan and Russia were planning to hold a meeting of an inter-governmental commission on trade and scientific cooperation in Spring next year. About MI-35 gunship helicopters deal between the two countries, he said the contract had already been signed and it was now for the officials concerned to define a timeframe.
Replying to a question, the ambassador said his country wanted Pakistan and India to resolve all issues including Jammu and Kashmir through peaceful means. He said Pakistan and Russia were cooperating in efforts for restoration of peace in Afghanistan. www.thenews.com.pk/print/172476-Russia-strongly-supports-CPEC-says-envoy
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