Russian foreign minister in Pakistan after Putin visit postponed

Published Oct. 4, 2012 at 9:52 am

Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, speaks with First Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov, right, and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov before his meeting with South Korean President Lee Myung-bak at the APEC summit in Vladivostok, Russia, Saturday, Sept. 8, 2012. (AP Photo/RIA-Novosti, Mikhail Klimentyev, Presidential Press Service)

Photo by AP

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Russia's foreign minister has arrived in Pakistan for talks with top officials, a trip arranged just days after the Kremlin announced President Vladimir Putin's visit to Islamabad was postponed.

No explanation was given for the postponement of Putin’s trip here on Oct. 2. Islamabad said a new date was being worked out.

Pakistani
media said Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov would meet his Pakistani
counterpart later Thursday. He is also to meet with the Pakistani
president and prime minister during his visit.

A foreign ministry
statement says the two nations enjoy an “excellent relationship” and
share the common objective of peace and stability in the region.

Lavrov’s visit comes as the Pakistani army chief is visiting Moscow for talks with his Russian counterpart.