Moscow, Aug 18 (DPA) Russian President Dmitry Medvedev called Wednesday for closer cooperation between Russia, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Tajikistan.
All four nations should revert to the economic projects under way during Soviet times, the Russian leader told a news conference after a four-nation summit in the Black Sea resort of Sochi.
At the same time, Medvedev pledged his country would assist Pakistan in coping with the devastating floods that have displaced around 20 million people.
‘We grieve with you and are ready to provide all possible help,’ Medvedev told his Pakistani counterpart Asif Ali Zardari, according to the Interfax news agency.
Both presidents said they want to cooperate more closely – Zardari is to visit Moscow soon and has invited Medvedev to Pakistan. India has traditionally been Russia’s ally in the region.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Tajik President Emomali Rahmon were also present at the summit in the Black Sea resort, the second of its kind to take place between the four countries. Last year’s talks took place in the Tajik capital of Dushanbe.
The Russian president appealed to his counterparts to work together on economic projects in order to overcome problems facing their region.
Medvedev also emphasised that he wanted to increase cooperation with Pakistan in its fight against terrorism and drug-smuggling. Joint projects in the energy, metalwork and railway sectors were also planned.
Russia regards drug-smuggling from Pakistan and Afghanistan as a threat. This year, units from the Russian Interior Ministry began training 225 Afghan policemen, who are also intended to tackle the problem of drug dealers.
According to the Kremlin, Russia is hoping to win contracts from Afghanistan to supply helicopters. In a bid to counter NATO allies in the region, Russia also wants to provide training for the pilots and supply replacement parts for Soviet-made helicopters still in use in Afghanistan.
According to observers, Russia is also looking to strengthen its hand in the region because it fears that the US does not have the situation in Afghanistan under control.
But after the Soviet army’s defeat in Afghanistan in the 1980s, Moscow has declined to intervene militarily again.
