Pakistani president to visit Russia

Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari will pay an official visit to the Russian Federation on May 11-14 at the invitation of President Dmitry Medvedev, the Foreign Ministry said on Thursday.

During the visit, Zardari will have indepth discussions with the Russian leadership on a range of bilateral issues and review important global issues of mutual interest, a Foreign Ministry statement said.

The two sides will also emphasize the importance they attach to cooperating closely on issues of stability, peace and security in the common region and to continue to enhance bilateral contacts, consultations, cooperation and coordination between the two countries in this regard, it said.

Zardari will address the Russian business community at the Skolkovo Moscow School of Management and also visit St. Petersburg, which is not only the second largest city but also the financial and industrial hub of Russia.

The forthcoming visit of Zardari will be a leap forward in Pakistan-Russia relations and will promote greater understanding between the two countries and help broaden and strengthen bilateral political, economic, security and cultural ties, it said.

"Pakistan enjoys cordial and cooperative relations with Russia. Both countries value their relationship which has witnessed a notable intensification of high level contacts in recent years," the statement said.

Source: Xinhua

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