Islamabad, July 1, 2021 (TDI): Ambassador of Azerbaijan Ali Alizada gets a farewell call from Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi.
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi observed the progress in bilateral relations and interactions over the last few years. Minister also acknowledged the involvement and contributions of Ambassador Ali Alizada and wished him prosperity in the future.
The Foreign Minister conveyed his satisfaction over the existing ties between both countries and appreciated the Ambassador’s participation in further building up to them. The Foreign Minister recollected the support of Pakistan to Azerbaijan during the conflict of Nagorno-Karabakh and guaranteed the association/ cooperation in reconstructing and redeveloping the affected areas.
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi reconsiders the noteworthy interactions and advancements on development in trade, education, cultural, commerce, and energy domains. The Foreign Minister expressed that both countries should continue strengthening their bilateral relations that are built on religious and historic connections, which will enhance their mutual interests.
Foreign Minister concluded by wishing the Ambassador success and prosperity in the future. Ambassador Ali Alizada arrived in Pakistan in 2016 and is leaving this month for the fulfillment of his diplomatic commitment.
Pakistan-Azerbaijan Relations
Both Pakistan and Azerbaijan enjoy deep-rooted relations with each other. Our relations are connected through the hearts of the people of both countries. Pakistan and Azerbaijan have strong military cooperation.
There is an urge to collaborate on defense production. Both states have established Working Group on military cooperation and there are several rounds of talks has been organized and held. Pakistani military trainers have trained many Azerbaijan military cadets. There are also talks going on about the purchase of JF-17 Thunder From Pakistan by Azerbaijan.
There is also interest from Azerbaijan in the purchase of the Super Mushak trainer aircraft. According to the legal basis for such military cooperation, both sides have signed an agreement of cooperation in military and defense fields in 2002. Azerbaijan also participated in Naval Exercise “AMAN 2013” organized by Pakistan in March 2013. In 2014 another bilateral military agreement was signed and later the joint working group meetings were held regularly in Islamabad and Baku. This is a continuous process of not only supporting through engagement at the regional level but also Pakistan supported Azerbaijan at the International level as well.
In the last week of July, Azerbaijan hosted the first Trilateral Speakers Conference with Pakistan and Turkey in attendance creating an impact for lasting parliamentary diplomacy. The Speaker of Azeri Parliament Sahiba Gafarova extended the invitation to Parliamentary speakers of Pakistan and Turkey to boost regional cooperation and connectivity especially through creating links amongst the parliaments, especially those representing people.
Turkish and Pakistani delegations participated in the conference and asserted the need for inter-parliamentary cooperation consolidated on the Memorandum of Understanding. All three speakers realized the right time to join hands for effective regional connectivity and trade exchange apart from cooperating on security and strategic perspectives.
National Assembly Speaker of Pakistan Asad Qaiser traveled with leaders from the national assembly and met President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev on the sidelines. Apart from this high-level meeting, Speaker Asad Qaiser met other speakers from Azerbaijan and the Turkish parliament. At the end of this summit, a Baku declaration was released.
It was also decided that the sequel to this Summit’s second Speakers Conference will be hosted by Pakistan. Azerbaijan has remained a leader in connecting countries through parliamentary and public diplomacy by hosting such an important engagement of those at the houses of powers and decision-makers to build relations.
These forums also rejuvenate the ties by providing opportunities to connect and share ideas on the sidelines of such important multilateral forums. Parliamentary diplomacy has contributed immensely towards building the role of parliaments and their contributions towards foreign affairs and matters of international relations.
