By The South Asia Times

BAKU- Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on Monday reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing trade turnover and expanding cooperation in defence, transportation, and connectivity.

During a joint press conference, following the exchange of pre-signed documents on various projects, both leaders highlighted the importance of unlocking the full potential of bilateral trade and investment in mutually beneficial areas, according to APP.

Strengthening Economic Ties

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed Azerbaijan’s $2 billion investment in Pakistan, stating that it would yield significant benefits for both countries. He announced a one-month timeline to finalize projects and agreements, which are set to be officially signed in April 2024 during President Aliyev’s visit to Pakistan.

“This marks the first major leap in our trade and investment relations and is a reflection of our fraternal ties,” said Prime Minister Shehbaz. “Our trade and investment relations were not fully reflecting the strength of our bond, but today, we have taken a major step forward.”

President Aliyev acknowledged that current bilateral trade turnover remains limited, emphasizing the need for substantial growth. “We have identified concrete projects from Pakistan, and our Azerbaijani representatives are evaluating them. By April, we aim to finalize all discussions and prepare documents for signing,” he stated.

Expanding Strategic Cooperation

President Aliyev highlighted that the proposed projects cover infrastructure development, energy, mining, and economic sectors. During his meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to mutual support in international affairs and discussed expanding cooperation in defence and the defence industry.

“Azerbaijan has already acquired defence equipment from Pakistan and is satisfied with its quality. We will continue our defence cooperation and explore opportunities for joint manufacturing in defence industrial items,” President Aliyev noted.

Boosting Connectivity and Transportation

In discussing connectivity and transportation, President Aliyev praised the growing people-to-people exchanges between the two nations. He emphasized the importance of direct airline connections, which he believes will strengthen ties and enhance collaboration.

Support on International Issues

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed gratitude to Azerbaijan for its unwavering support on Kashmir, acknowledging that Azerbaijan had backed Pakistan without any political conditions. “We deeply appreciate this support, and we hope that the UN resolutions on Kashmir will be realized soon through our collective efforts,” he said.

Furthermore, he underscored the urgency of a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, stressing that the ongoing pause in hostilities should be converted into lasting peace, and the vision of a two-state solution should be fulfilled.

Conclusion

The high-level engagement between Pakistan and Azerbaijan underscores their deepening strategic partnership. With the upcoming agreements in April, both nations are set to accelerate trade, economic collaboration, and defence cooperation, marking a new era of bilateral relations.