President to visit Russia, Belgium from 14th

ISLAMABAD - Immediately after the presentation of budget 2009-10 in the Parliament, President Asif Ali
Zardari would start his weeklong visits abroad including Russia and Belgium.
President Zardari would start his two-day long visit to Russia from June 14, 2009, and attend Shanghai
Corporation Organization (SCO) Summit at Yekaterinburg. According to officials, the President would meet his
counterparts from Russia, China, Turkmenistan and Afghanistan on the sidelines of the Summit.
Afterwards, the President would visit Brussels for three-day European Union summit starting from June 17. His
visit to Brussels would focus issues of market access for Pakistani goods.
Officials hope that the President would have the opportunity to meet the heads of the states, governments and
international bodies on the sidelines of the EU moot at Brussels.
PPI adds: On the SCO summit sidelines, the President is also likely to meet the presidents of Russia, China,
Turkmenistan and Afghanistan.
Presidential Spokesperson Farhatullah Babar on Sunday said in Brussels the president will also hold meetings
with various heads of states and governments of a number of countries and international bodies. He said the EU
summit holds special importance for the country, as it will also consider Pakistan’ case for greater access to its
products particularly textile manufactures to the European countries’ markets.
He also denied the reports appeared in a section of the media that the President Zardari will be visiting six
countries next week.
It is pertinent to note that Pakistan has made out a case for economic development as a key to fighting militancy