DOCUMENT No. 6 

Text Of Pak-Russia Joint Statement

MOSCOW: Following is the text of joint statement issued at the conclusion of President Pervez Musharraf visit to the Russian Federation on Thursday.

            Joint Statement: The President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, General Pervez Musharraf, visited the Russian Federation from 4-6 February 2003 on the invitation of Mr. Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation.

            The President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan was accompanied by a high-level delegation, which included the Minister of Commerce, Industries and Production and the Advisor on Finance as well as senior officials.

            Substantive negotiations between Mr. V.V. Putin and General Pervez Musharraf took place. The President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan also met Mr. G.N. Selezniov, Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, and Mr. I .S. Ivanov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.

            The President of two countries in a cordial atmosphere exchanged their views on a range of important bilateral, regional, and international issues.

            They reaffirmed their commitment to promote bilateral cooperation as well as regional and global peace and stability. It was decided that the two countries would consult closely with each other both bilaterally as well as at international forums on all key issues.

            Pakistan and Russia stressed the importance of further intensifying mutually beneficial cooperation especially through close economic interaction and augmentation of their bilateral trade. Cooperation in such sectors as energy, metallurgy, telecommunications and several infrastructure development projects were identified as promising areas of cooperation.

            To remove the existing impediments of the developments of cooperation between Pakistani and Russian organizations it was agreed to work towards the prompt settlement of the issues of Pakistani debt restructuring, settlement of financial obligations, promotion of inter-bank relations, establishment of most-favoured-nation status in trade investments.

            It was also decided that the Pakistan-Russia Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic and Scientific and Technological Cooperation would start its activities with the expected expansion of trade and economic interaction between the two countries.

            The successful launch of the “Badr-2” satellite of Pakistan with the use of a Russian launch vehicle was cited as an example of fruitful cooperation between Pakistan and Russia in using space technologies for peaceful purposes.

            The two sides reaffirmed their desire to further develop cooperation in this sphere.

            The two sides expressed satisfaction on the signing in November 2002 of the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation between the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and “Gazprom”.

            Russia and Pakistan recognized the importance of developing contacts in the field of culture, science, and education. A relevant Programme for 2003-2006 was signed.

            The two sides stressed the need to move towards a just and equitable global political and economic order based on the sovereign equality of all states, democratic values, supremacy of the UN Charter and international law.

            The two sides underlined the importance of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in promoting global growth and prosperity, and in deepening and broadening world trade. They agreed that, in the context of Russia’s integration into the world economic and trade systems as an equal member, Russia’s joining the WTO at the earliest was of particular importance.

            Pakistan expressed its readiness to support the Russian Federation in the process. The two sides agreed to initiate regular bilateral consultations in this context.

            Pakistan and Russia reaffirm their intention to cooperate at bilateral and international forums on strategic stability. The inaugural meeting of the Pakistan-Russia Consultative Group on Strategic Stability in Moscow in January 2003 was, therefore, of particular significance.

            Pakistan welcomed the signing by Russia and the USA of the Treaty on Strategic Offensive Weapons Reductions. The two sides confirmed their commitment to promoting disarmament and non-proliferation and the further strengthening of national export control systems.

            The two sides agreed that keeping space free from weapons and prevention of arms race in space was essential for strengthening strategic stability.

            Pakistan and Russia condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. They agree that a comprehensive approach was needed to combat terrorism and this should include firm measures against manifestations of ethnic and religious extremism, trafficking of illicit nuclear materials and drugs as well as trans-national organized crime. Such measures should also be directed against those states, organizations and individuals who indulge in terrorism or support, finance and encourage terrorists or offer them shelter or refuge.

            The two sides emphasized the importance of consistent implementation of the counter-terrorism decisions of the UN Security Council, in particular, resolution 1373. They also favoured a harmonization and adoption by the United Nations of the draft international Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism and the draft Comprehensive Convention against International Terrorism and, in this regard, both sides stressed the importance of an agreed definition of terrorism.

            Pakistan and Russia declared their interest in establishing constructive interaction in fighting international terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. The establishment of a Pakistan-Russia Joint Working Group on Counter terrorism and Other New Challenges to International Security whose first meeting was held in Moscow in December 2002 was noted with satisfaction

The Memoranda of Understanding between the Ministry of interior of Pakistan and the Ministry of Interior of Russia and the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan were signed to strengthen the legal framework for interagency cooperation.

The two sides also agreed on the need to sign, at the earliest, a Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters and a Treaty on Mutual Assistance and Legal Relations in Civil and Trade Maters.

During comprehensive discussions on Afghanistan, Pakistan and Russia expressed the hope that the Transitional Administration of Afghanistan would succeed in restoring peace, reviving the economic and social infrastructure in order to promote growth and prosperity. They stressed their common interest in the reintegration of Afghanistan into the international community as a sovereign stable, predictable and peaceful state, living in harmony with its neighbours. The central coordinating role of the United Nations and its Security Council in this process was emphasized. Russia strongly supported the adoption in Kabul on 22 December 2002 of the Declaration on Good-Neighbourly Relations by representatives of the states adjacent to Afghanistan, including Pakistan.

Pakistan and Russia expressed particular concern on the increased production of drugs in Afghanistan and their illegal traffic to the adjacent countries and other regions. In this connection, they underlined the need for the formulation and implementation of preventive measures as well as the provision of funds for crop substitution under the auspices of the United Nations and its specialized agencies especially the United Nation Drug Control Programme (UNDCP). Pakistan welcomed Russia’s voluntary contribution of 0.5 million US dollars to the UNDCP and expressed its readiness to expand bilateral, multilateral interaction in this area.

The two sides reaffirmed that security and stability in Central Asia was vital for both Pakistan and Russia. They supported the efforts of the Central Asian states to further strengthen their democratic foundations.

            Detailed discussions were held on the situation in South Asia.  Both sides stressed the need for continuous sincere efforts by the concerned parties to create conditions for resuming the dialogue between Pakistan and India in order to resolve all outstanding issues between them on the basis of equity and justice.

            Russia appreciated the withdrawal of Pakistani and Indian troops from the border to peace-time locations as well as the fulfillment by Pakistan and India of their obligations to exchange the lists of nuclear facilities within the framework of the 1988 bilateral agreement on the Prohibition of Attack Against Nuclear Installations and Facilities of each other.

            The two sides resolutely opposed unilateral use or threat of use of force in violation of the UN Charter and interference in the internal affairs of other states. It was stressed that a comprehensive settlement of the situation around Iraq should be achieved through political and diplomatic efforts, in strict compliance with the recognized norms of international law and under the auspices of the UN. The need for further intensive consultations with the Iraqi leadership in order to encourage its cooperation with the United Nations was emphasized.

            The two sides expressed concern on the developments in the Middle East. They strongly condemned all acts of violence in the region and supported the early resumption of a Palestinian-Israeli dialogue, as there was no alternative to a peace process. Both sides confirmed the inviolability of the international political and legal instruments for a peaceful settlement namely, UN Security Council resolutions 242, 338 and 1397, the Madrid Principles; Land for Peace” formula, existing agreements and arrangements as well as the Arab peace initiative adopted at the Beirut Summit of the Arab League in March 2002.

            The two sides expressed the view that the visit of the President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to the Russian Federation was a major step in promoting bilateral cooperation in diverse spheres. Increased cooperation between the two countries would also contribute towards regional and global peace and security and the establishment of just, democratic and equitable world order.

            The President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan thanked President Putin for the warm hospitality and extended a cordial invitation to the President of the Russian Federation and his spouse to visit Pakistan where they would be warmly welcomed. This was accepted with gratitude. The date for the visit will be finalized through diplomatic channels.

App, The News, 7 February 2003.