MOSCOW, Thursday, July 10, 2025 (WNP): Pakistan and Russia reaffirmed their shared resolve to deepen cooperation in the energy sector, as Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Syed Tariq Fatemi, met with First Deputy Minister of Energy of Russia, Pavel Sorokin, during a high-level meeting in Moscow on Thursday.

The discussion was part of Ambassador Fatemi’s official two-day visit to Russia, aimed at bolstering strategic engagement, particularly in energy collaboration—an area both sides identified as a cornerstone of their growing bilateral relationship.

Fatemi expressed appreciation for Russia’s sustained support in helping Pakistan address its energy security needs, saying, “The active engagement in energy cooperation reflects the strong foundation of our bilateral relationship. We are confident that this partnership will expand further in the months ahead.”

Deputy Minister Sorokin, who previously visited Pakistan in February and held talks with Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, echoed the sentiment. He pointed to the positive trajectory of joint initiatives and flagged new avenues for collaboration—particularly in hydropower development, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) projects, and the modernization of oil refineries in Pakistan.

Both sides noted that energy cooperation will feature prominently in the agenda of the upcoming 10th session of the Pakistan-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission (IGC) on Trade, Economic, Scientific, and Technical Cooperation, to be hosted in Islamabad later this year.

The meeting underscored a mutual commitment to diversifying energy partnerships, advancing regional economic stability, and unlocking new investment opportunities in the energy domain—marking another step forward in the deepening Pakistan-Russia strategic partnership.