Islamabad (Web Desk): Foreign Minister (FM) Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Friday said that Pakistan desires relationship with all the countries and is not and will not become part of any bloc politics.
Briefing media persons in Islamabad about PM Khan's Russia visit, he said the talks in Moscow focused on a host of issues including promoting trade, investment and energy cooperation.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi pointed out the relations between the two countries are on upward trajectory over the last few years.
"Pakistan wants to forge a long term multidimensional relationship with Russia," FM Qureshi said.
"Pakistan's shift to geo-economics and regional connectivity will get impetus through enhanced relations with Russia," he said.
Rejecting the impression that the visit was not well timed given the situation in Ukraine, the foreign minister said he is convinced that it was the right decision, which has increased the diplomatic space of Pakistan.
Qureshi said that the decision of Moscow visit was taken after thorough deliberations including with former diplomats.
The foreign minister said that regional situation also came under discussion during the talks with the Russian leadership. He said that both the countries want peace and stability in Afghanistan.
Describing the visit as very important, FM Qureshi said that Pakistan desires to import gas from Russia.
Qureshi said that Russia has shown interest to establish an LNG terminal in Gwadar.
The minister said the Russian investors have expressed interest to attend the investment conference to be held next month in Islamabad.
"We are an energy deficient country and want a long term government to government arrangement with Russia on this matter," FM Qureshi said, adding that the extension of Russian pipeline in Kazakhstan to Pakistan via Afghanistan will help meet our future energy requirements.
FM Qureshi said that Pakistan's embassy in Ukraine has been shifted from Kyiv to Ternopil. He said the government is taking measures to evacuate three thousand students studying in Ukraine.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi said Tarnopil is close to Poland's border and it will make evacuation easier.
He said Pakistan is broadly engaged with all major world powers.
