ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari met his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov on sidelines of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Indian city of Goa, Foreign Office (FO) said.

According to FO, two foreign ministers discussed bilateral, regional and international matters of mutual interest and assured each other of working closely to further deepen cooperation between their countries in areas of food security, energy and people-to-people contact. SCO opens new vistas of cooperation and coordination with Russia, FO statement said.

FM Bilawal reached Goa earlier today, primarily to attend SCO Council of Foreign Ministers meeting. In video message on twitter, Bilawal first foreign minister of Pakistan to head to India in over decade confirmed that he had reached Goa. Salaam, from Goa India, he said.

Bilawal said that he would first hold meetings with his counterparts from Russia and Uzbekistan, which will be followed by formal dinner for all foreign ministers at SCO. I will give one or two interviews and that is programme for today, he added.

Foreign Minister is attending SCO Council of Foreign Ministers meeting at invitation of current Chair, Minister for External Affairs of India Dr. S. Jaishankar. Bilawal Bhutto was welcomed by staff of Pakistani Commission in India and Indian authorities.

Since becoming member in 2017, Pakistan has been actively and constructively contributing in all SCO activities to realise its multi-sectoral aims and objectives in mutually beneficial manner.

Published in The Daily National Courier, May, 05 2023

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