Ambassador of Russia to Pakistan Albert P. Khorev on Wednesday underscored that Russia Day commemorates the continuity of Russian statehood and the country’s sovereign development, offering an occasion to reflect on longstanding national values such as spiritual heritage, moral ideals, patriotism and civic responsibility.
Russian Ambassador highlights Unity, bilateral ties, greater “Eurasian Vision” on national day reception
ISLAMABAD, Jun 10 (APP): Ambassador of Russia to Pakistan Albert P. Khorev on Wednesday underscored that Russia Day commemorates the continuity of Russian statehood and the country’s sovereign development, offering an occasion to reflect on longstanding national values such as spiritual heritage, moral ideals, patriotism and civic responsibility.
Speaking at the embassy’s official reception in Islamabad, Ambassador Khorev welcomed guests to the event and noted that Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared 2026 the “Year of the Unity of the Peoples of Russia.”
Khorev said the designation recognizes that Russia’s strength derives from the unity of its multinational population, respect for traditions and preservation of historical memory.
He added that representatives of all nationalities in Russia enjoy equal rights to use their native languages, receive education in them, practise their faiths and express their cultures.
As an emblem of interethnic harmony, embassy staff presented traditional costumes representing Russia’s diverse peoples.
Highlighting Russia’s foreign-policy priorities, the ambassador reiterated Moscow’s call for a fair, multipolar world order rooted in respect for state sovereignty and peoples’ right to self-determination.
He drew attention to the Greater Eurasian Partnership initiative, which seeks to foster equal cooperation and connectivity from the Atlantic to the Pacific and from the Arctic to the Indian Ocean, and said the concept has attracted interest from many countries of the Global South.
Khorev also censured the Western allies for what he described as an unwillingness to accept a relative decline in their global influence, and said Western actions provoked violent conflicts.
He defended Russia’s continued military campaign in Ukraine as necessary to protect Russian-speaking and Orthodox communities and national security interests, while asserting that Russia remains open to peaceful negotiation aimed at addressing the root causes of the conflict.
The ambassador thanked Pakistan for its “balanced and neutral” stance on the Ukrainian issue.
On bilateral ties, Khorev said Russian-Pakistani relations have been steadily strengthening across political, parliamentary, economic, security and cultural spheres.
He outlined active political dialogue at high levels, growing parliamentary contacts and four operating mechanisms for consultations between the respective foreign ministries.
Regular interministerial cooperation, joint military-tactical and naval exercises, including “Druzhba” and “Arabian Monsoon” and recent agreements signed by the two countries’ interior ministers were highlighted as signs of deepening cooperation.
Khorev noted the recent Readmission Agreement is expected to strengthen joint efforts against extremism and illegal migration and to boost contacts between business communities and citizens in education, culture, sports and tourism.
Economic cooperation, he said, holds significant potential in energy, transport, agriculture and pharmaceuticals, with ongoing efforts to expand rail and air links. Khorev recalled the 10th session of the Russian-Pakistani Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic and Scientific-Technical Cooperation held in Islamabad in November 2025, during which a range of documents spanning industry, science and media were signed.
He pointed to regular Pakistani participation in major Russian events such as the Kazan Forum, the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum and the Eastern Economic Forum. He urged further activation of scientific, technical, cultural and educational exchanges.
Cultural outreach and people-to-people ties also received attention: Khorev referenced celebrations marking the 65th anniversary of the first human spaceflight held on April 12 in Fatima Jinnah Park and the inauguration last year of a monument to Yuri Gagarin in Islamabad.
He further noted the growing availability of Russian-language courses across Pakistani cities, including Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar and Sargodha.
Concluding his address, Ambassador Khorev congratulated attendees on Russia Day and extended wishes for peace, kindness and prosperity.
