https://arab.news/jxc2c
- Asif Zardari and Vladimir Putin are in Ashgabat, attending an international forum on peace, cultural cooperation
- Pakistan and Russia have tried to strength their bilateral relations in recent year, particularly in trade and energy
ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday on the sidelines of an international forum in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, where they pledged to further strengthen bilateral ties, state media reported.
The event, organized by Turkmenistan, commemorates the 300th birth anniversary of Magtymguly Faragi, an 18th-century Turkmen thinker, poet and philosopher. The international gathering is significant since it brings together key figures from various regional nations to discuss peace, development and cultural cooperation.
Zardari, accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, also interacted with Russian President Vladimir Putin during the forum.
“The informal interaction was held on the sidelines of a two-day international forum ... here in the Turkmen capital,” the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) reported, adding, “they emphasized further strengthening of bilateral relationships.”
“Both leaders expressed good wishes for each other,” it continued.
Earlier, the Pakistani president addressed the forum, underscoring the importance of regional cooperation, particularly in cultural and economic development.
He also highlighted the longstanding bond between Pakistan and Turkmenistan, saying it was built on shared history and values while expressing hope that the discussions would lead to strengthened cultural collaboration in the region.
Pakistan and Russia have also been trying to strengthen bilateral cooperation in recent year, particularly in trade and energy.
Last July, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met Putin at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in Astana, Kazakhstan, where both leaders agreed to collaborate in agriculture, food security and investment.