Islamabad (NNP) In a significant move to bolster bilateral relations, Pakistan and Azerbaijan have reaffirmed their commitment to expanding cooperation in various areas of mutual interest, particularly in energy, trade, connectivity, defence, and people-to-people linkages. This commitment was underscored during a meeting between President Asif Ali Zardari and the visiting President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, at Aiwan-e-Sadr.
President Zardari, while welcoming President Aliyev, emphasized the strong and excellent relations between the two countries, highlighting the immense potential for further strengthening ties across various sectors. He stressed the importance of increased engagement between the people and business communities of both nations to deepen bilateral relations.
A key point of discussion was the strategic importance of Gwadar port, with President Zardari suggesting that Azerbaijan and other Central Asian countries could leverage it to enhance regional trade, connectivity, and tourism, thereby fostering shared economic prosperity.
The meeting also witnessed the signing of several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) between Pakistan and Azerbaijan, which President Zardari noted would invigorate bilateral cooperation in trade, commerce, tourism, mines and minerals, science and technology, law and justice, and culture.
President Zardari highlighted Pakistan’s vision for sustainable and result-oriented engagement with Central Asian Republics and Azerbaijan, emphasizing the East’s potential to lead global prosperity.
President Aliyev, on his part, recognized the frequent people-to-people exchanges between Pakistan and Azerbaijan and underscored the necessity of promoting business-to-business relations to boost economic ties. He also proposed exploring joint ventures in the renewable energy sector.
The visit concluded with a banquet hosted by President Zardari in honor of President Aliyev and his delegation, attended by Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, federal ministers, parliamentarians, diplomats, and journalists. President Zardari extended warm greetings to the people of Azerbaijan and reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering support for their nation.
