PM Gilani arrives at St Petersburg to attend SCO moot
By Shumaila Andleeb
ST. PETERSBURG (Russia), Nov 6 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Sunday arrived at Russia’s historical city of Saint Petersburg to represent Pakistan at the 10th Heads of Government Council meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and discuss issues relating to economic cooperation, counter-terrorism, situation in Afghanistan and trans-border organized crimes.The Prime Minister was received by Vice Governor of St Petersburg Dmitry Mikhailovich at the Pulkovo International Airport.  Pakistan’s Ambassador to Russia Khalid Khattak and senior officials of Russian government were also present.Federal Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Dr Asim Hussain, Chairman Board of Investment Saleem Mandviwala and Senator Sughra Imam accompanied the Prime Minister.
Gilani is also scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, who will join the SCO moot along with other heads of governments and representatives of member and observer states.
 Ambassador Khalid Khattak told APP that Pakistan carries regional significance at the SCO forum in the context of security and geographical location that links South Asia with the energy-rich Central Asia.
 He said Prime Minister Gilani’s attendance at the SCO summit would give a greater opportunity to Pakistan to get engaged with important regional countries.
 “For Pakistan, energy and trade connections with Central Asia are of crucial importance,” he said and added that the country’s leadership was cognizant of the strategic convergence of interests in the region.
 The profile and scope of SCO has assumed great importance with the presence of China, Russia and other Central Asian States as strong regional partners, he added.
 About Pak-Russian bilateral relations, the Ambassador said these were experiencing a positive phase as the presidents of two countries met four times in three years.
He said Prime Minister Gilani’s meeting on Monday with Putin, was also politically significant as the two leaders are expected to discuss issues of regional security and economy.
 The SCO founded in Shanghai in June 2001, groups China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
 Pakistan holds the observer status along with Mongolia, India, and Iran whereas Sri Lanka and Belarus have been granted the status of dialogue partners along with Afghanistan as a special guest.