Russia hopes to expand relations with Pakistan, Lavrov says

At the beginning of talks with his Pakistani counterpart Mian Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri, Russian Foreign Minister said that Russia was interested in the development of relations with Pakistan.

"Relations with Pakistan," Mr. Lavrov noted, "which plays an important role in the region bordering on the CIS and in the Muslim world, are a priority for us." He said that Russia was happy to continue talks with the Pakistani foreign minister.

"The Russian-Pakistani relations have improved, especially after President Pervez Musharraf's visit to Moscow," Mr. Lavrov stressed. According to him, Pakistan's accession to the ASEAN will promote stability in the region.

Bilateral issues and cooperation on the international arena will be on today's agenda, Mr. Lavrov said.

The Pakistani foreign minister noted that Russia and Pakistan had common positions on bilateral, regional and international issues.

"Pakistan plays an important role both in the Muslim world and in providing regional and global security and stability," he noted.