ISLAMABAD: Ambassador Zamir N. Kabulov, Russian President's Special Envoy on Afghanistan, called on Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani at the Prime Minister's House on Wednesday and said that enormous commonalities existed between Pakistan and Russia on regional issues and bilateral cooperation.

The Ambassador said that Vladmir Putin, President of Russia, looked forward to a productive visit to Pakistan and discussions with the Pakistani leadership on a wide range of issues. He said that visit of the Russian president would be instrumental in further enhancing bilateral and multifaceted cooperation between both countries.

The prime minister recalled his meeting with Vladmir Putin on the sidelines of SCO in which he offered cooperation and assistance for up-gradation of Pakistan Steel Mills in Karachi.

The prime minister said that Pakistan was keen to further promote cooperation in the fields of defence, energy, narcotics control, and trade with Russia.

The prime minister said that Pakistan considered Russia as a source of stability and peace both at the regional and global levels.

Prime Minister Gilani underscored the importance of frequent exchanges at highest level including that of foreign ministers of both countries to strengthen bilateral cooperation as there is convergence of views between both countries on almost all issues.

The prime minister said that he was looking forward to President Putin's visit to Pakistan, adding that the visit would help further deepen and broaden the bilateral relations.

Gilani said that Pakistan welcomed Russian interest in the Iran-Pakistan Pipeline Project as the two sides have had very good meetings on the project and some specific proposals had been discussed in this regard.

The prime minister added that President Asif Ali Zardari was looking forward to his meeting with President Putin on the sidelines of the SCO Summit (June 6-7 2012) in China.

e also said that Pakistan had made consistent and serious efforts to improve relations with Afghanistan as stability and peace in Afghanistan were important for stability and peace in Pakistan.