Pakistan keen to improve ties with Azerbaijan: PM

President stresses more connectivity among South Asia, Central Asia, Southwest Asia and China; Azeri minister says his country wants to import defence
products and raw material from Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday said Pakistan valued its friendly relations with Azerbaijan and was keen to improve ties in defence, energy, commercial and economic fields.

He said this in a meeting with Azerbaijan’s Minister for Defence Industry Yavar Jamalov here at the PM House. Nawaz recalled his meeting with Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev in Davos on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum where both agreed to enhance the bilateral ties.

Jamalov said Azerbaijan was keen to explore new opportunities to import defence products and raw material from Pakistan. He extended invitation for Pakistan’s participation in the International Defence Exhibition being organised by Azerbaijan in September, with special reference to the JF-17 Thunder. He appreciated the economic policies of Pakistan and highlighted the need to increase the bilateral trade. He also invited investment from Pakistan in Azerbaijan. Both sides agreed to enhance cooperation in areas of trade and economy and continue joint ministerial meetings to find out new opportunities.

The prime minister said Pakistan would participate in the exhibition and extended his greetings to the Azerbaijan president.The meeting was attended by Federal Finance Minster Ishaq Dar, Defence Production Minister Rana Tanvir and Petroleum and Natural Resources Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi.

Meanwhile, President Mamnoon Hussain on Tuesday sought greater cooperation between Pakistan and Azerbaijan in energy, defence and communication sectors for the mutual benefit of the two friendly countries. He said the two countries should make coordinated efforts to increase the bilateral trade.

The president expressed these views in a meeting with Jamalov, who called on him here at the Aiwan-e-Sadr.Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Rana Tanveer Hussain and Charge d’affaires of Azerbaijan to Pakistan Chingiz Garibli were present in the meeting.

The president said the two countries enjoyed excellent relations and reaffirmed Pakistan’s firm support for the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh issue in accordance with the United Nations resolution. He said the current trade volume between the two countries was below potential and emphasised the need to enhance it through joint efforts. He hoped that the 6th session of the Pakistan-Azerbaijan Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) would be helpful in enhancing bilateral trade. He said there should be more connectivity among South Asia, Central Asia, Southwest Asia and China to achieve prosperity for the people of this region.

The president said Pakistan had been the worst victim of terrorism and the Operation Zarb-e-Azb was very successful. He said the operation would continue till elimination of the last terrorist.

Jamalov said Azerbaijan was looking forward to expand its bilateral relations with Pakistan in diverse areas, particularly in trade, and expressed confidence that the bilateral cooperation between the two countries would touch new heights in future.