Islamabad, Pakistan: Russia on Thursday backed Pakistan’s stance against the drone strikes and termed it violation of the country’s sovereignty and integrity. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Viktorovich Lavrov in a joint press stakeout with Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar expressed the views as the two held discussions at the Foreign Office here.
The Russian foreign minister said that ”It is not right to violate the sovereignty and integrity of any state. We fully support Pakistan’s stance.”
The two foreign ministers who held a bilateral round of meeting expressed optimism that relations between the two countries would further strengthen in the days ahead. Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov said the meeting with Foreign Minister Khar which was second in a year, discussed global agendas, maintaining regular contacts and cooperation against terrorism and drug trafficking.
He said the talks also focused regional agenda, Afghanistan issue and the Iranian nuclear programme. Responding to a question on postponement of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Pakistan to attend the quadrilateral summit, the Russian Foreign Minister said the reason was Putin’s “tight schedule”. He said President Putin had sent a message to President Asif Zardari about his unavailability to visit Islamabad due to busy schedule.
He dispelled the impression that the postponement linked to any misunderstanding with Pakistan. Khar said Pakistan was very keen to receive President Putin and clarified that it was only due to the tight schedule and “nothing more and nothing less.” (The News’ Pakistan)