December 30, 2002	Monday	Shawwal 25, 1423

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ISLAMABAD, Dec 29: The Pakistan-Russia consultative group on strategic stability is expected to meet in Moscow next month, it is learnt on Sunday.

“The first session of the consultative group on strategic stability is likely to take place in the second half of January or early February,” well-placed diplomatic sources told Dawn.

This will be the first-ever strategic dialogue between Islamabad and Moscow. The agenda is open-ended but was focused on disarmament and conflict resolution; overview of current global and regional situation; current threat perceptions; regional tensions, etc., sources said. Moscow only has such consultative groups with the G-8 members and a few other countries the Russians consider key players in the world.

The additional secretary of the UN will lead the Pakistan delegation to Moscow. The group, formed earlier this year, will meet every year alternately in Moscow and Islamabad.

In a related development, the Pakistan-Russia joint working group on counter-terrorism held its inaugural meeting in Moscow in the first week of December. Experts believe forging of such alliances indicate thawing of ties that may eventually turn Pakistan-Russia relations into strategic partnership.