Lavrov in Pakistan for talks that will include Afghan peace process

Russia Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is due in Islamabad on Tuesday on a two-day official visit for talks on bilateral and regional matters, with special focus on Afghanistan.

According to Pakistan’s Daily Times, Lavrov will lead a 13-member delegation that also includes Russian special envoy for Afghanistan Zamir Kabulov, Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova and several other senior officials.

This comes after Moscow hosted a “Troika’ peace summit last month.

Pakistan’s foreign office said on Monday Lavrov will hold talks with Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and he will meet with Prime Minister Imran Khan and other dignitaries.

Russia’s foreign ministry said there are plans to conduct a detailed discussion in Pakistan on the current status of bilateral relations and their development prospects, including opportunities for further strengthening trade, economic and counter-terrorism cooperation.

“They will conduct an in-depth exchange of views on topical matters concerning the regional and international agenda and will focus on the Afghan problem and cooperation at multilateral venues, including the UN and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization,” Zakharova said in Moscow on Thursday.

Kabulov, the main character behind Russia’s active role in Afghan peace process visited Pakistan last month for talks on Moscow’s move to revive the Moscow format.