ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Russia on Monday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at enhancing parliamentary cooperation during a ceremony held at the Parliament House.
Senate Chairman Yousuf Raza Gilani and Valentina Matvienko, Speaker of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, signed the agreement on behalf of their respective countries. The Senate of Pakistan shared a video of the signing ceremony, highlighting the significance of the event.
The Russian Embassy in Pakistan also posted about the MoU on X, emphasizing Matvienko’s acknowledgement of Gilani’s vital role in strengthening bilateral relations and cooperation within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
“This visit marks a watershed moment in our long-standing journey of cooperation, reinforcing our shared commitment to regional peace, prosperity, and mutual respect,” Gilani stated during the ceremony. He added that the agreement lays the groundwork for enhanced parliamentary diplomacy and emphasizes the exchange of parliamentary delegations to foster cooperation.
The MoU promotes interaction between parliamentary friendship groups and outlines a professional development program focused on capacity building and institutional development for effective parliamentary engagement between the two nations.
“We are confident that the outcomes of this visit will pave the way for a stronger and more meaningful interparliamentary and bilateral partnership between Pakistan and the Russian Federation in the years to come,” Gilani concluded.
Matvienko is also scheduled to meet with President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Speaker of the National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq during her visit, according to Gilani.
Once Cold War adversaries, Pakistan and Russia have recently strengthened their ties through increased trade and business engagements. Islamabad aims to become a key transit route for Central Asia’s landlocked nations and has expressed interest in developing trade links with Russia via Central Asian countries.
Relations between the two countries progressed significantly in 2023 when Pakistan began importing discounted Russian crude oil, a response to rising fuel prices driven by geopolitical conflicts. This shift highlights Pakistan’s move toward more affordable fuel sources.
In September, Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk made a brief visit to Islamabad to discuss expanding trade and investment opportunities with Pakistan.
