ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Ambassador to Russia, Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, said that Iran and the US both viewed Islamabad as an honest broker genuinely interested in peace, speaking on the sidelines of the St Petersburg International Economic Forum on Thursday.
“We are pretty hopeful that in a few times, the timeline is difficult, but there will be a complete ceasefire. And this would lead to the pressure of the oil prices, as well as the supply chain impact that it has had globally.
Iran, as well as the United States, accepts us as an honest broker who is genuinely interested in peace and that does not have its own agenda. The whole thing is to have peace in this world,” he stressed.
Pakistan is mediating talks between the US and Iran. Tirmizi also praised SPIEF for providing “an opportunity to talk to each other to take the relationship to the next level.”
“So at a time when the world is facing so many conflicts, this is a forum where everyone can sit down, talk, and discuss problems. So all congratulations to the Russian government and the city of St Petersburg for organising a great SPIEF this year as well,” he added.
St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF)
The 29th St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) takes place on June 3-6. More than 20,000 people are set to attend, with politicians from around 76 countries making the journey. Since its establishment in 1997, the forum has served as a platform for international dialogue on global economic issues. Vladimir Putin has taken part in the event regularly since 2005.
“St Petersburg Economic Forum has always been a very important forum globally and for Pakistan. This time, we are represented by the Chairman of the Standing Committee on Water and Power.
He’s here, and we’ve had several interactions with a lot of business leaders and his counterparts from all over the world. So that’s one thing that… I believe that this is one forum where business leaders, corporate leaders, and political leaders can.
Media leaders get an opportunity to talk to each other to take the relationship to the next level. At a time when the world is facing so many conflicts, this is a forum where everyone can sit down, talk, and discuss problems.
So all congratulations to the Russian government and the city of St Petersburg for organising a great SPIEF this year as well, the ambassador stated.
22 percent of the world’s oil and gas comes from the Strait of Hormuz. So the impact of that war has been felt all over the world. You’ve seen the prices of oil and how they have been impacted.
But oil is one thing. The other thing is fertilisers. Even that could lead to a major agricultural crisis in the future. So Pakistan, as an actor, has acted in good faith. Both in terms of Iran as well as with the United States.”
While talking, Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Russia, said, “And we are pretty hopeful that in a few times, timeline is difficult, but there will be a complete ceasefire.
And this would lead to the pressure of the oil prices, as well as the supply chain impact that it has had globally. So Pakistan is playing its role, and it’s a very active role. And thank God both countries, Iran as well as the United States, accept us as an honest broker who is genuinely interested in peace and who does not have its own agenda. The whole thing is to have peace in this world.”
Russia long-standing partner of Pakistan
Russia has been a long-standing partner of Pakistan for a very number of years. And we are constantly in touch. In fact, the minister was supposed to be here for this SPIEF.
But since we have a budget that is presented in the parliament, he could not join us next year. But he asked us to convey his warm regards to his counterpart in the Russian Federation. So he’s planning to visit Russia after the passage of the budget. So those discussions between the two sides are always on.”
The most important thing is business-to-business, people-to-people, and cultural-to-cultural contracts. We have an excellent political relationship.
We have close co-ordination both in Islamabad and in Moscow, as well as our permanent missions in New York, where Pakistan is part of the Security Council, in Geneva, and in Vienna.
But the thing that really matters in the long run is that you have to have business contacts. So the minister, the chairman of the Standing Committee, had a number of meetings with a lot of business leaders here.
And he is offering Pakistan as an alternate source of business, food security, and tourism for both countries because we believe that Russia could be part of Pakistani food security and Pakistan could be part of Russian food security.”
We’ve had a number of meetings, and it has also allowed him to meet a number of leaders from other neighbouring countries, and you know, things really happen in such forums.
And I must give credit to the Russian government and everyone for bringing all the business leaders, political leaders, and corporate leaders under one platform.”
