Pakistan, Russia discuss enhanced cooperation.

Byline: SHAFQAT ALI

ISLAMABAD -- Pakistan and Russia yesterday discussed the enhanced cooperation amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi telephoned his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov and apprised him on Prime Minister Imran Khan's call for 'Global Initiative on Debt Relief' for developing countries aimed at allowing them a fiscal space for dealing with socioeconomic impacts of COVID-19.

During the conversation, Foreign Minister Qureshi said the coordinated and comprehensive actions were essential to create fiscal space needed by the developing world to deal with the socioeconomic impacts of COVID-19.

The Russian FM expressed support for the debt relief initiative and assured to play a positive role, a foreign ministry statement said.

Both the sides discussed the matters of mutual interest, including the COVID-19 pandemic, cooperation at the multilateral fora, prospects of enhanced bilateral cooperation and regional issues.

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Qureshi underlined that Pakistan considered Russia an important partner and desired to forge a long-term and multi-dimensional partnership with the country.

He also offered condolences over the loss of precious lives in Russia due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The two foreign ministers exchanged views about the socioeconomic ramifications about the pandemic. Foreign Minister Lavrov expressed solidarity with Pakistan in its efforts to combat the outbreak.

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