Tazeen Akhtar
Ambassador of Russian Federation to Pakistan, H.E Albert Khorev hosted a reception on National Day in Islamabad on 11 June 2024 that was attended by large number of diplomats, government and military officials of Pakistan,businessman community, civil society representatives and media persons.
Definitely European ambassadors were absent, actually not invited but the presence of 3 Federal Ministers expressed that how much importance the Pakistani government attaches to the relations with Russia. It is another thing that despite agreements on both sides and with both political ruling parties PTI of Imran Khan and PMLN of Shehbaz Sharif, no concrete developments has been seen so far.
Mr. Musaddaq Malik, Energy, Mr. Khawaja Asif, Defence and Rana Tanvir , Education were present on the stage with Russian Ambassador.
Mr. Musaddaq Malik has been the main negotiator with Russia on so called CHEAP petroleum and he spoke very very highly about his interactions and his visits to streets and restaurants of Moscow but to our great disappointment could not share anything that what is actually happening on the import of CHEAP petroleum to Pakistan.
More astonishing was the presence of Liaqat Baloch of Jamat e Islami and Maulana Fazal ur Rehman of JUI in the reception. Who does not know that these were the main parties whose workers took part in “Jehad” against USSR when Afghanistan was invaded (the then ruler of Kabul invited) Afghanistan in 1979.
The world is changing rapidly at 180 degree. So we have to bear with it.
Russia is also celebrating absence of Pakistan in the Global Peace Conference Switzerland. An international peace summit in relation to the Russo-Ukrainian War, formally called the Summit on Peace in Ukraine, is planned to be held in Bürgenstock Resort in Switzerland on 15–16 June 2024. China also regretted to attend the conference and Pakistan is said to follow China on this matter.
Anyway , the Ambassador delivered his keynote address and that has more attractive and important information or what we can say the stance of Russian side on different regional and international issues including Gaza and yes definitely Ukraine.
A random pic of Maulana Fazal ur Rehman at Russian reception with a fan of him
Here is the complete text of the speech of the Ambassador:
On June 12, 1990, the Congress of People’s Representatives adopted the Declaration of State Sovereignty of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic, which proclaimed the supremacy of the Russian Constitution and legislation on its territory.
This document, which laid the legal foundation of our country, reflected the process of transformation of the USSR into the Commonwealth of Independent States. The changes our country underwent, no matter how trying they may have been, brought us to the Russia we know today – an independent, strong, modern power, capable of withstanding any challenges.
Therefore, June 12 is a symbol of continuity and our understanding of the thorny path that Russia has traveled to reach new heights.
Ukraine and NATO
Today, as you know, Russia is facing perhaps the most serious challenge in its contemporary history. The special military operation we are conducting in Ukraine, when NATO’s war machine has come so close to our borders, serves to protect not only the national interests of our country, but also those of the world majority – the Global South and the Global East.
We are fighting for the emergence of a genuinely multipolar, equitable world order and against the collective West’s attempts to impose neo-colonial practices around the world, couched as they may be as the so-called “rules-based order”.
In today’s interconnected world, one cannot move forward and develop alone. A Russian proverb says: “a man without friends is like a tree without roots”.
I am glad to see representatives of friendly countries from different parts of the world gathered here today. By acting together in the interests of our nations, we can achieve unparalleled success for the benefit of our peoples.
BRICS and CIS
In 2024, Russia chairs important and reputable international and regional associations, such as BRICS and the CIS. Our priorities in the CIS include deepening economic integration, enhancing foreign policy coordination, strengthening mechanisms for joint responses to both traditional and emerging challenges, and expanding cultural and humanitarian ties.
As part of cooperation with the BRICS+ countries, we emphasize our joint commitment to multilateralism, respect for international law based on the UN Charter, promotion of international peace and security, sustainable development, respect for the rights and freedoms of all, regardless of their ethnicity, religion or gender, on the basis of solidarity, mutual respect, justice and equality, opposition to unilateralism, prohibitive, discriminatory measures that are inconsistent with the principles of international law and adversely affect the global economy.
Yesterday, under the chairmanship of the Russian Federation, the first extended-membership BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting was successfully held in Nizhny Novgorod. And tomorrow, the BRICS Games – a large-scale sports competition attended by about five thousand athletes from more than 60 countries, including Pakistan – will start in Kazan.
GAZA
Russia is successfully participating in resolving international and regional problems. We support a speedy settlement of the conflict in the Gaza Strip on the basis of relevant UN Security Council and UNGA resolutions. This should result in the establishment of a full-fledged State of Palestine with full membership of the United Nations.
Russia Pakistan
Russia shares strong bonds of friendship with the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. I have been in Pakistan for six months already and I can see the tremendous potential for deepening and strengthening our bilateral relations.
Russia is working closely with Pakistan at various multilateral platforms, including the UN, the SCO and the OIC; our bilateral trade is growing, surpassing one billion dollars last year, and I am sure this is not the limit. Russia appreciates Pakistan’s independent and balanced stance on the most important issues on the global agenda.
In this regard, I would like to extend a special welcome to our Chief Guest, Honorable Minister of Energy H.E. Mr. Musadik Masood Malik: I believe his presence here is emblematic, as energy cooperation and energy security are among the priority areas of our relations.
The year 2024 is rich in both events and memorable dates. Less than a week ago, we celebrated the 225th anniversary of the great Russian poet Alexander Pushkin. This day is the UN-designated Russian Language Day.
In February, we marked the tricentennial of the founding of the Russian Academy of Sciences. We consider it a priority to promote the Russian language in Pakistan and strengthen our coooperation in science, culture and education.
And next year we are to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War. In 1945, it was our country – the USSR at the time – that, at the cost of 27 million lives of its citizens, made a decisive contribution to the victory over world fascism, which is rearing its head again today in Ukraine. I am convinced that it will be defeated once again soon, and we will have more reasons to rejoice.
USA & EU are Working on Opening “ANOTHER FRONT” against Russia in South Caucasus : Ambassador Albert Khorev
