Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari Sunday arrived here on a two-day official visit.
The minister was received by senior officials of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Pakistan’s ambassador to Russia Shafqat Ali Khan and officials of the embassy.
According to the Foreign Office, the foreign minister is visiting the Russian Federation at the invitation of his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov.
The two foreign ministers are scheduled to meet on Monday for official talks.
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On Jan 19, a Russian delegation led by Russia’s Energy Minister Nikolay Shulginov visited Islamabad to discuss ways to improve bilateral economic and trade relations, with a focus on providing oil and gas to Pakistan at discounted rates.
The Russian minister said Pakistan could pay for energy purchases from Russia in the currencies of “friendly countries”.
Speaking to Dawn, Foreign Minister Bhutto-Zardari said: “I’ve been invited to speak at the international luncheon of the annual National Prayer Breakfast and will make an in-and-out trip for that.”
Trade talks
As for Commerce Minister Qamar’s visit to the United States, the dates have not yet been finalised, but he is expected to reach Washington late next month. His visit involves a major development: the revival of the ministerial-level talks on the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement.
TIFA provides strategic frameworks and principles for dialogue on trade and investment issues between the United States and its partners.
Mr Qamar will represent Pakistan at these talks, while US Trade Representative (USTR) Ambassador Katherine Tai will lead the American delegation. USTR is a cabinet-level position.
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The last meeting between trade officials of the two countries was held in March 2022 in Islamabad, where Assistant US Trade Representative Christopher Wilson announced Pakistan and the US had decided to relaunch the TIFA process.
Although the foreign minister is expected at a non-governmental event — the prayer breakfast, Pakistan wants to avail this opportunity to reach out to US officials.
The prayer breakfast, which is addressed by the US president, has an added importance this year, as it will be the first to be organized by the US Congress because of the event’s increasing importance.