Astana: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasised need to overcome financial and other banking issues to expand barter trade between Pakistan and Russia.In an exclusive meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin here, he said Pakistan has long business relations with Russia. He recalled that Pakistan used to import lot of machinery and goods from erstwhile Soviet Russia and export textile and leather goods under barter.

He said two countries can certainly enhance trade, which is at moment, touching one billion dollars. He also commended Russian President for promoting cooperation in field of energy at his request. He added that Pakistan has received shipment of oil from Russia and needs to move further in this direction.

As regards bilateral relations between Pakistan and Russia, Shehbaz Sharif said these ties have been on positive trajectory over last many years and this is matter of great comfort for two countries.

“Our relations stand on our own strength as neither our relations are driven by any geopolitical contingency nor these are impacted by our ties with other countries,” he added.

He expressed desire to work closely with President Vladimir Putin to further cement bilateral relations.

Meanwhile, Shehbaz Sharif invited Tajikistan to use Karachi port for transit trade, joint statement issued by two countries said. According to statement issued here, bilateral relations were discussed in bilateral meeting between Shehbaz Sharif and his Tajik counterpart Qohir Rasulzoda here.

He paid two-day official visit to Tajikistan at invitation of President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon. Two leaders expressed satisfaction the steadily expanding bilateral cooperation in all areas of mutual interest and reaffirmed their shared desire to further strengthen existing fraternal ties.

He congratulated Tajik PM on successful organization of 3rd High-Level Water Conference and appreciated Tajikistan’s leading role in water diplomacy. Hailing signing of Strategic Partnership Agreement as historic moment in bilateral ties between Pakistan and Tajikistan, he expressed hope that this elevation of relationship between two countries would open up new areas of mutually beneficial economic cooperation.

He underlined that Pakistan would continue to pursue enhanced engagement with Central Asian countries, including Tajikistan, in line with its ‘Vision Central Asia’ policy. He stressed that enhanced regional connectivity and integration would remain key components for sustainable long-term socio-economic development of region.

Emphasising importance of regional ties in South Asian and Central Asian region, prime minister suggested that Pakistan host regional connectivity summit to provide trade corridors to Central Asian countries and promote regional trade.