Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi received his Russian counterpart and his accompanying delegation at the Islamabad airport, ARY News informed.

Lavrov arrived in Pakistan -from India- on a two-day official visit as part of a tour of several countries.

This is the first visit of a Russian foreign minister to Pakistan in nine years.

Both foreign officials held talks at the delegation level this Wednesday.

During a joint press briefing, Lavrov expressed satisfaction with the 46 percent increase in the bilateral trade but stressed the need to further diversify it.

Regarding the energy sector, he pointed out that both countries are debating a new protocol on the Pakistan Stream Gas Pipeline project and the construction works will begin as soon as it is signed.

Upon describing the bilateral relationship as mutually beneficial, Lavrov said that Russia provided 50,000 doses of Covid-19 vaccines to Pakistan and there is an intention to deliver 150,000 other shots.

Regarding the deterioration of the security situation in Afghanistan, the Russian foreign minister noted that Pakistan and Russia agreed to reach an agreement that ends the civil war through inclusive political dialogue.

On his side, Qureshi said that his country is ready to build a strong and multifaceted relationship with Russia.

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