Bilawal in Russia to expand bilateral ties.

ISLAMABAD -- Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari flew to Russia yesterday in a bid to expand ties and enhance cooperation.

The visit comes amid reports that Russia could start exporting oil to energy-starved Pakistan after March if terms are agreed. Both the countries have expressed willingness in the recent years to enhance cooperation, forgetting the bitter past of the Cold War where Pakistan supported the United States. Pakistan and Russia have been discussing whether payment could be made in the currencies of 'friendly' countries. Pakistan has been battling a balance of payment crisis with foreign exchange reserves falling to $4.6 billion, barely enough to cover three weeks of imports: mostly for oil.

The foreign ministry earlier said FM Bilawal Bhutto will undertake the official visit to Moscow from January 29-30.

'The foreign minister will hold official talks with his Russian counterpart where the two sides would deliberate upon the entire spectrum of bilateral relations and exchange views on the regional and international issues of mutual interest,' Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said.

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari flew to Russia yesterday in a bid to expand ties and enhance cooperation.

The visit comes amid reports that Russia could start exporting oil to energy-starved Pakistan after March if terms are agreed. Both the countries have expressed willingness in the recent years to enhance cooperation, forgetting the bitter past of the Cold War where Pakistan supported the United States. Pakistan and Russia have been discussing whether payment could be made in the currencies of 'friendly' countries. Pakistan has been battling a balance of payment crisis with foreign exchange reserves falling to $4.6 billion, barely enough to cover three weeks of imports: mostly for oil.

The foreign ministry earlier said FM Bilawal Bhutto will undertake the official visit to Moscow from January 29-30.

'The foreign minister will hold official talks with his Russian counterpart where the two sides would deliberate upon the entire spectrum of bilateral relations and exchange views on the regional and international issues of mutual...