Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday said that he had ‘most substantive’ meeting with Rusain Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin.
Taking to X (former), the premier talked about his meeting with the Russian prime minister on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). Expressing his thoughts, PM Shehbaz said: “We discussed the entire spectrum of the bilateral ties, with a focus on enhancing trade and economic cooperation.”
“Reiterated Pakistan’s resolve to strengthen Pak-Russia relations. Regional and global developments were also discussed,” he added.
“We also agreed to continue coordination at multilateral forums at the UN and SCO,” he said.
Earlier, in his inaugural address at the 23rd Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Heads of Government meeting, PM Shehbaz proposed the introduction of a common currency among member states.
The prime minister emphasised the need for enhanced regional cooperation to ensure peace, stability, and socio-economic development in the region.
Shehbaz Sharif highlighted the potential for the SCO to evolve into an Interbank Union to tackle banking challenges and work towards a unified currency. "The SCO should move towards establishing a common currency to facilitate economic transactions and strengthen regional ties," he stated, adding that the increasing agreement on the use of a common currency among the SCO member states is an important development.
"Pakistan supports the creation of alternative development funding mechanisms to promote sustainable growth," he highlighted.