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No ties with Pak at the cost of traditional allies: Russia
Moscow, June 13: Russia would not go for any improvement in relations with Pakistan at the cost of Moscow`s traditional allies in the region, deputy foreign minister Alexander Losyukov has said.
Moscow, June 13: Russia would not go for any improvement in relations with Pakistan at the cost of Moscow`s traditional allies in the region, deputy foreign minister Alexander Losyukov has said.
"Russia intends to further advance the joint work with
the Pakistani side to remove existing differences, move
towards development of multi-plan and mutually beneficial
ties, but of course, not at the cost of our traditional
partners," Losyukov said in an interview to a news agency and the
Hindu ahead of foreign minister Igor Ivanov`s South Asia tour.
Ivanov is leaving for the sub-continent tomorrow night
during which he is scheduled to spend a day in Islamabad and
two nights in New Delhi. This would be first visit of Russian
foreign minister to Pakisan in 10 years, since Andrei Kozyrev
visited Islamabad in 1993.
"During talks in Islamabad the Russian side will
reiterate its known concerns regarding threats of terrorism,
extremism and illegal drug trade emanating from the direction
of Afghanistan and Pakistan," Losukov said.
According to Losyukov, Russia gives `its due` to Pakistan for its participation in US-led anti-terror operation in Afghanistan and steps taken by President Pervez Musharraf`s administration to neutralise the activities of militant Islamists in the country.
"Moscow (however) expects Islamabad to consistently fulfil all the obligations taken by it for combating terrorism and religious extremism," he said.
According to Losyukov, Russia gives `its due` to Pakistan for its participation in US-led anti-terror operation in Afghanistan and steps taken by President Pervez Musharraf`s administration to neutralise the activities of militant Islamists in the country.
"Moscow (however) expects Islamabad to consistently fulfil all the obligations taken by it for combating terrorism and religious extremism," he said.
Bureau Report