Pakistan’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Shah Mehmood Qureshi said on Friday that Russia was interested in establishing an LNG terminal in Gwadar, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Talking to media persons in Islamabad, the foreign minister shed light on the prime minister’s visit to Russia and said that talks in Moscow focused on various issues including trade promotion, investment and energy cooperation between the two countries.

The minister also informed the media about the Russian investors’ interest in attending the investment conference to be held next month in Islamabad. “Pakistan’s shift to geo-economics and regional connectivity will get impetus through enhanced relations with Russia,” he stated.

“Relations between the two countries are on upward trajectory over the last few years,” Qureshi said and added that Pakistan wanted to forge a long-term multidimensional relationship with Russia.

The foreign minister also rejected the impression that the visit was not well timed given the situation in Ukraine and expressed his conviction that it was the right decision which increased the diplomatic space of Pakistan.

“The decision of Moscow visit was taken after thorough deliberations including with former diplomats,” he said, adding that Pakistan desired good relations with all countries and it would not become part of any bloc politics.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5QerDuKL4g

The foreign minister also said that Pakistan desired to import gas from Russia, adding: “We are an energy deficient country and want a long-term government-to-government arrangement with Russia on this matter.”

Qureshi expressed his optimism that the extension of the Russian pipeline in Kazakhstan to Pakistan via Afghanistan would surely help meet the energy needs of Pakistan in future.

Qureshi said that the regional situation was also discussed during talks with the Russian leadership and said that both countries wanted peace and stability in Afghanistan.

“Pakistan’s embassy in Ukraine has been shifted from Kyiv to Ternopil. The government is taking measures to evacuate 3,000 students studying in Ukraine,” said the foreign minister.

“Ternopil is close to Poland’s border and it will make evacuation easier. Pakistan is broadly engaged with all major world powers,” he added.