Pakistan army chief on 3-day trip to Russia
4 Oct 2012 10:30 PM GMT
Pakistan Army Chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani embarked on a three-day visit to Russia on Wednesday, shortly before Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov flew into Islamabad for talks with the country’s top leadership.
Kayani is visiting Russia at the invitation of Nikolai Makarov, the Chief of General Staff of Russian armed forces.
Pakistani officials are projecting these contacts as part of efforts to reset the relationship between Islamabad and Moscow ahead of the pullout of foreign troops from Afghanistan.
Besides meeting his Russian counterpart, Kayani will hold several meetings with the political leadership in Moscow.
He is also expected to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin, officials said.
Chief military spokesman Maj Gen Asim Bajwa told reporters recently that Kayani’s visit would mark the beginning of a new phase in ties between the two countries. Lavrov will hold formal talks with Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar on Thursday.
He is also expected to call on top Pakistani leaders, including President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf. The situation in Afghanistan is likely to figure prominently in Lavrov’s meetings. [PTI]
Kayani is visiting Russia at the invitation of Nikolai Makarov, the Chief of General Staff of Russian armed forces.
Pakistani officials are projecting these contacts as part of efforts to reset the relationship between Islamabad and Moscow ahead of the pullout of foreign troops from Afghanistan.
Besides meeting his Russian counterpart, Kayani will hold several meetings with the political leadership in Moscow.
He is also expected to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin, officials said.
Chief military spokesman Maj Gen Asim Bajwa told reporters recently that Kayani’s visit would mark the beginning of a new phase in ties between the two countries. Lavrov will hold formal talks with Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar on Thursday.
He is also expected to call on top Pakistani leaders, including President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf. The situation in Afghanistan is likely to figure prominently in Lavrov’s meetings. [PTI]
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