ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Azerbaijan have agreed to strengthen their cooperation in trade and investment.
The consensus was reached during a meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Ilham Aliyev on Friday, held on the sidelines of the 17th Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) summit in Khankendi, Azerbaijan.
The two sides expressed satisfaction over the progress made regarding the investment prospects.
The leaders reiterated their resolve to strengthen the economic partnership, especially Azerbaijan’s investment in Pakistan.
The Prime Minister reaffirmed that recent engagements between the leadership of both countries have further strengthened their relationship.
Shehbaz Sharif reiterated his invitation to President Ilham to visit Pakistan at his earliest convenience.
The Prime Minister led Pakistan’s delegation at the ECO summit on July 3-4, which focused on the promotion of trade, sustaining development, and enhancing regional connectivity.
Pakistan and Azerbaijan have maintained close diplomatic and economic relations, with both countries seeking to enhance cooperation across multiple sectors.
In May 2025, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif visited Lachin, Azerbaijan, to attend a Pakistan-Turkey-Azerbaijan Trilateral Summit.
It may be recalled that Azerbaijan had voiced concern over escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, condemning New Delhi’s strikes on Pakistani territory.
In March 2025, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif formed a committee for the early realisation of the Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and agreements signed with Azerbaijan during his recent visit to the Central Asian state.
In July 2024, during President Ilham Aliyev’s visit to Islamabad, Azerbaijan announced a $2 billion investment in Pakistan. Earlier, in September 2024, Pakistan signed a contract to supply JF-17 Block III fighter jets to Azerbaijan, marking a significant step forward in their growing defence cooperation.
