26 February 2004	Thursday	05 Muharram 1425

ISLAMABAD, Feb 25: A visiting Russian delegation discussed with Pakistani officials here on Wednesday matters related to defence and communications cooperation between the two countries.

Issues related to defence, economic trade, and communication cooperation came under discussion in a meeting of Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Anatoly Safanov with Foreign Secretary Riaz Khokar at the foreign office.

"The foreign secretary reiterated the commitment of the government of Pakistan to reinvigorate its relations with Russia and expand bilateral relations in all fields, particularly defence and communications," a press release issued by the foreign office said.

The two sides discussed bilateral ties, Pakistan-India relations, counter-terrorism measures taken by both Pakistan and Russia, the menace of drug trafficking and other issues of regional and international importance.

Mr Khokar, the press release said, also expressed Pakistan's desire for an early expansion in the Pakistan Steel.he foreign secretary emphasized that Pakistan was committed to cooperating with Russia against international terrorism. He also renewed President Gen Pervez Musharraf's invitation to President Vladimir Putin to visit Pakistan at the earliest.

Mr Safonov said the war against international terrorism could be won when the root causes of terrorism like poverty, regional conflicts, systematic injustices and problems related to globalization were resolved. He expressed satisfaction at Pakistan's response to the challenge of international terrorism and its efforts with regard to drug trafficking.

Pakistan and Russia declared their interest in establishing constructive interaction in fighting international terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

To remove existing impediments to the development of cooperation between Pakistan and Russian organizations, it was agreed to work towards the prompt settlement of the issues of Pakistani debt restructuring, settlement of financial obligations, promotion of inter-bank relations, establishment of most-favoured-nation status in trade and investments.

Sources said it was decided that the Pakistan-Russia Inter-governmental Commission on Trade, Economic and Scientific and Technological Cooperation would boost its activities with the expected expansion of trade and economic interaction between the two countries.

Pakistan and Russia have stressed the importance of further intensifying beneficial cooperation, especially through close economic interaction and augmentation of their bilateral trade.

It was decided to enhance cooperation in matters related to energy, metallurgy, telecommunications and several infrastructure development projects. The two sides discussed matters related to a treaty on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters and a treaty on mutual assistance and legal relations in civil and trade matters.

During discussions on Afghanistan, both sides stressed their common interest in the reintegration of Afghanistan into the international community as a peaceful state living in harmony with its neighbours. The central coordinating role of the United Nations and its security council in this process was emphasized.

The two countries also discussed a strategy to combat the menace of increased production of drugs in Afghanistan and their illegal trafficking to the adjacent countries and other regions.