KARACHI: The situation in Afghanistan has aggravated and
Russia is concerned about it. The Afghan government has suffered during
operations against the Taliban. Our position is that both sides should
sit at the table and resolve the issue. The IS concentration in
Afghanistan is a matter of concern for all.
This was
stated by the consul general of the Russian Federation in Karachi, Dr
Aleksandr G. Khozin, while answering a question after an hour-long,
detailed address to the press highlighting Russia’s position on Europe,
the Palestinian-Israel situation, the Syrian situation and
Pakistan-Russia ties.
In response to a query on the
Palestine issue, Dr Khozin said both [Israel and Palestine] sides needed
to be persuaded to talk to each other. What’s clear was that Muslim
countries would not understand the behaviour of the US on the issue.
No one has the right to dictate to any country how to exist or what is good for it, says diplomat
Speaking about President Trump’s election in the US, he said
it’s the choice of the American public. It’s up to America who to
choose as its president. The Russian president was ready to discuss
issues with them [America].
Earlier, during his briefing
Dr Khozin said the Russian foreign office believed in peaceful
coexistence, and it was peace that could bring security [to the world].
But no one had the right to dictate to any country how to exist or what
was good for it. America’s efforts to become a unipolar power had failed
as old crises remained unresolved and new challenges emerged. In a
multipolar world there could be more diversity and acceptance of one
another’s traditions, culture and faith. Any attempt to slow down this
process would lead to creating instability. The world we lived in
demanded an acceptance of diverse traditions, which would eventually
sustain its growth.
On the situation in Syria, the consul
general expressed similar views. He said no one had the right to
dictate what would be its future course. It’s up to the Syrian people to
decide how to lead their lives. “We will continue to support Syria,” he
remarked underlining Russia’s position on the Arab country.
On
the Palestinian-Israel situation, Dr Khozin said on Dec 21, 128
countries voted in favour of a UN resolution and America threatened
those who had voted against its stance that they would risk losing its
aid and support. The US position could further complicate the situation
in the region, whereas Russia’s position on the issue had not changed:
it spoke in favour of direct talks between Israel and Palestine.
On
Nato forces’ expansion near Russia’s border, Dr Khozin said it would
increase tensions in the area. “We are taking measures to increase our
capacity.” Talking about the peacekeeping mission in Ukraine, he said
Ukraine refused Russia’s proposal in that regard. He pointed out that
the US was supplying arms to Ukraine.
Coming to
Russia-Pakistan ties, Dr Khozin said recently on the sidelines of the
General Assembly sessions the foreign ministers of the two countries met
and discussed Afghanistan and counter-terrorism. He claimed that in the
last three to four years the Pak-Russia relationship had strengthened.
Both countries were trying to find ways to bring about peace in the
region. “We support each other.”
Dr Khozin said trade
between Pakistan and Russia had increased considerably in recent times.
Business links were getting stronger as governments of the two countries
looking at areas that could prove mutually beneficial.
Responding
to the question of whether Russian President Vladimir Putin would visit
Pakistan, he said diplomats’ job was to build bridges. It’s up to Mr
Putin to visit Pakistan.
