MOSCOW, Jan 16: A Pakistani delegation, headed by Deputy Foreign Minister Tariq Osman Haider, began the two-day talks on strategic security issues on Thursday with Russian officials, a Pakistani embassy spokesman said. Today was the first session of the Pakistan-Russia Consultative Group’s talks on strategic stability.

The dialogue provided an important opportunity for exchanging views on matters impacting strategic stability with particular reference to salient regional issues as well as arms control and disarmament matters.

The two sides expressed satisfaction at the important exchange of views and commonality of positions on a number of critical issues.

Both the countries agreed on the need to preserve a multilateral approach in dealing with the current security issues. They affirmed the centrality of the UN charter in resolving all disputes and differences.

The Russian side gave a briefing on strategic arms reduction.

Pakistan highlighted the need to preserve the strategic balance in South Asia while seeking to promote nuclear and missile restraints.

The Russian side, headed by Deputy Foreign Minister Georgy Mamedov, appreciated the presentations made by Pakistan, underlining its stringent controls over sensitive technologies.

The Pakistani team arrived in Moscow on Wednesday for the talks and is due to return to Islamabad on Friday, according to the spokesman.—Agencies