ST. PETERSBURG (Shahid Ghumman): Pakistan’s Ambassador to Russia, Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, met Leningrad Region Governor Alexander Drozdenko, during which the prospects for turning the growing friendly relations between Pakistan and Russia into practical economic, trade, educational and cultural cooperation at the regional level were discussed in detail.
During the meeting, Governor Alexander Drozdenko welcomed the Pakistani ambassador and informed him about the Leningrad Region’s economic potential, industrial development, agricultural production and access to the Baltic Sea’s important ports.
Highlighting the region’s strong industrial base and the potential of its agricultural sector, the governor discussed the prospects for cooperation with Pakistan in various sectors.
Pakistani Ambassador Faisal Niaz Tirmizi said that direct contacts with various regions of Russia can play an important role in making Pakistan-Russia bilateral relations stronger and more meaningful.
He said that Pakistan has the potential to become an important and vast market for Russian products, while Pakistan can supply quality products in various sectors, including textile products, agricultural goods, medicines and surgical instruments.
The meeting also discussed the prospects for promoting logistics, industrial partnerships, direct contacts between business enterprises and trade activities between the two countries.
Emphasis on education and research along with trade cooperation
Ambassador Faisal Niaz Tirmizi stressed that relations between Pakistan and Russia should not remain limited to imports and exports or trade volume alone, but permanent links should also be established between the educational, research, cultural and social institutions of both countries.
He said that Pakistan is interested in increasing cooperation with Russian universities, research institutions and cultural organisations so that lasting relations between the institutions and peoples of both countries can be promoted.
The meeting also discussed the prospects for cooperation in tourism and for increasing people-to-people contacts.
Participation of Russian regional officials
The meeting was also attended by Leningrad Region Deputy Governor Yaroslav Serov, Chairperson of the Committee for External Relations Anastasia Mikhalchenko, and Alexander Agafonov, Acting Deputy Representative of the Representative Office of the Russian Foreign Ministry in St. Petersburg.
The officials attending the meeting discussed the importance of exploring regular contacts and practical opportunities for cooperation in various sectors between Pakistan and the Leningrad Region.
Both sides acknowledged the importance of identifying potential areas of mutual cooperation in the future, promoting business and institutional links, and continuing sustained dialogue.
The meeting is part of diplomatic efforts to expand economic and regional partnership between Pakistan and Russia, under which attention is being given to promoting direct cooperation between the various regions, business enterprises, universities and research centres of both countries.
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