BAKU, Azerbaijan: Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif held a meeting with President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev in Baku on Thursday at which they agreed to enhance their bilateral trade and promote cooperation in different areas including energy and defence.
Later Shahbaz Sharif told on Twitter that he had a wonderful meeting with President Ilham Aliyev in which they reviewed the present state of bilateral relations between Pakistan and Azerbaijan.
“We have agreed to upgrade the ties commensurate with our excellent relationship. According to our shared resolve, trade, investment & enhanced cooperation in energy, defence, tourism, & higher education sectors will form the bedrock of cooperation,” he said.
Shahbaz Sharif said that his delegation and he were deeply impressed by the love that the people of Azerbaijan have for Pakistan and her people.
“The sight of Pakistani flags fluttering in Baku was a feast for the eyes. This people-to-people bond based on mutual love and respect is the strength of our relationship,” he said.
The prime minister thanked the President for Azerbaijan’s consistent support to Pakistan on Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and assured him of our steadfast support on Karabakh.
“The shared resolve at the leadership level has the potential to reshape our bilateral ties in line with demands of the contemporary era and together we will make it happen, IA,” Shahbaz Sharif said.
Following their meeting in Baku, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and President Ilham Aliyev also addressed a joint news conference.
The president of Azerbaijan said that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will be signed for promotion of trade. A list of preferential trade items will also be prepared.
President Ilham Aliyev said that several delegations from Azerbaijan will soon visit Pakistan. He said that one delegation will discuss the promotion of trade and investment, the second will deliberate on energy cooperation while the third will be related to the defence cooperation.
Ilham Aliyev said that we have agreed to increase the number of flights between the Capitals of the two Countries.
The president said that we see a big potential in the area of education. He hoped to see more students from Pakistan studying in educational institutes of Azerbaijan. He noted that the Azeri youth who studied from Pakistan are greatly contributing in our development.
Ilham Aliyev said that both the sides have also discussed cooperation in defence and agreed to enhance the number of military exercises. He said that a strong military capability is a guarantor for independence and territorial integrity.
The president of Azerbaijan said that both the Countries have always stood shoulder to shoulder with each other. He said that our peoples share the same views as the leaders.
In his remarks on the occasion, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif said that there is complete unanimity of views between the two sides on all bilateral and multilateral issues.
Shahbaz Sharif said that Pakistan and Azerbaijan are two brotherly Countries and this relationship is based on mutual trust, respect and sincerity of purpose.
The prime minister said that our relations that are strong from ages do not reflect its density through their trade and investment portfolio, exchange of visits and cooperation in other areas. He said that there is a desire on both sides to bolster this relationship.
The prime minister said that there is great scope of cooperation between the two Countries in the field of energy and petroleum products. He said that Pakistan has a great potential in solar energy and said we look forward to cooperation in this realm.
The prime minister was appreciative of Azerbaijan for extending the facilitation to enhance rice imports from Pakistan. He said that we also welcome Azeri airline to start its operations between Baku and Islamabad. He assured that Pakistan would work closely with Azerbaijan to achieve the targets set for cooperation in different areas.
Furthermore, he said that Azerbaijan has always been a staunch supporter of the Kashmiri brothers and sisters who have been braving Indian atrocities and terrorism over the last several decades.
Shahbaz Sharif said that Pakistan is also committed to the cause of territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. He said that the forces of Azerbaijan have bravely fought for the rights of Azerbaijan.
