ISLAMABAD: National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Said has said that vast opportunities for Pakistan and Russia were available in economic and trade sectors that could provide long-term benefits for both the countries. According to a message received from Moscow, he expressed these views while speaking to his Russian counterpart, Chairman of the State Duma, Sergey Yevgenyevich Naryshkin, on the sidelines of first conference of Speakers of Parliament of Eurasia being held in Moscow. Ayaz observed that parliamentary interaction was central to robust cooperation between both the countries. He informed Sergey that Pakistan-Russia Friendship Group had been established in National Assembly and interaction between parliamentarians through this forum could play an important role in creating better understanding between both the countries. Urging the need for comprehensive cooperation between both the countries, Ayaz Sadiq highlighted that terrorism; climate change, energy crunch and diseases had profoundly constrained the region and stressed the need for collaboration in addressing these challenges mutually. Apart from parliamentary cooperation, the speaker underlined the need for deepening people to people contacts, business and economic ties and defence cooperation as part of larger framework for robust Pak-Russia relations. Highlighting Pakistan’s geographical location and economic turnaround, he said Pakistan could offer immense opportunities for Russian investment in Pakistan. He said that both countries could strengthen bilateral relations through enhanced cooperation in trade and commerce sectors. Sergey Yevgenyevich Naryshkin stated that Pak-Russia cooperation was highly central for tackling regional challenges including terrorism, drug trafficking and regional stability. He added that Russia attaches immense importance to its relations with Pakistan and assured that Russia was ready to assist Pakistan in diverse fields including agriculture, manufacturing, infrastructure, defence and education. He underlined the need for diversification of bilateral relations and effective collaboration on various international forums.