BAKU: Pakistan and Azerbaijan on Thursday agreed to expedite and boost bilateral cooperation in the fields of energy, trade and aviation sectors to reflect the decades-old strong relationship between the two countries.
The bilateral relations were discussed at length in a meeting between Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif here at Zugulba Palace.
The prime minister, leading a high-level delegation is on a two-day official visit to Baku at the invitation of President Aliyev.
Later at a joint press conference, the two dignitaries told the media of agreeing to introduce flights of Azerbaijan Airlines between the two capitals and to enhance the number of military exercises. They also highlighted exploring the avenues of cooperation in the areas of education, energy and investment.
Prime Minister Shehbaz, who earlier visited the mausoleum of Azerbaijan’s first president Haider Aliyev and the martyrs’ monument, hailed President Ilham Aliyev’s leadership in reshaping the impressive horticulture and infrastructure of the city. He also requested Azerbaijan’s president to lend their experts in horticulture and waste management to Islamabad.
Both Sides to Enhance Trade, Investment and Cooperation
Highlighting close ties and friendship between the two sides, Shehbaz Sharif said that both countries has strong bonds for ages and vowed to reflect these strong linkages in boosting trade, investment and other important areas of cooperation in the future.
Emphasizing cooperation in the energy sector, Shehbaz Sharif said being an energy-deficient country, Pakistan was dependent upon costly imported fuels spending $27 billion last year which was becoming unaffordable owing to the challenges of imported inflation and an increase in the price of oil due to the Ukraine crisis.
He said that his government was committed to replacing the costly imported fuels with solar energy to support industries, commerce, exports and offices.
He thanked Azerbaijan’s president for abolishing duties on Pakistan’s rice to expedite and facilitate the export of the Pakistani commodity to the friendly country.
The prime minister thanked Azerbaijan for being a staunch supporter of Kashmir and highlighted the Indian acts of terror and atrocities in the Valley including the violations of UN resolutions.
He reiterated that Pakistan was committed to the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and appreciated the brave forces of the country for fighting for the rights of Azerbaijan adding that Pakistan did not recognize Armenia and would always stand affirm by Azerbaijan considering it a duty.
In his remarks, President Ilham Aliyev welcomed the prime minister and his delegation to Baku and said both sides had agreed to increase cooperation in the fields of defence, energy and education.
He hoped both sides to host more students in the universities of Pakistan and azarbaijan in strengthening bilateral relationships, particularly in the field of education and technology.
He said Pakistan and Azerbaijan always stood shoulder to shoulder as people from both sides shared the same views on different issues.
