Islamabad, 12 July 2024 (TDI): At the invitation of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, was on a state visit to Pakistan from 11-12 July 2024. This visit was a significant event in the diplomatic calendar of both nations, underlining the strong bilateral relationship and the mutual desire to further deepen cooperation across various domains.
The President’s delegation included high-ranking officials, reflecting the importance of the visit. The delegation comprised Ministers for Defence, Defence Industry, Economy, Digital Development and Transport, and the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, indicating a broad agenda for bilateral talks.
Upon arrival, President Aliyev was warmly received by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, with a welcoming ceremony that included a 21-gun salute and the presentation of bouquets by children dressed in traditional Pakistani attire.
This gesture of goodwill was a clear indication of the importance Pakistan places on its relationship with Azerbaijan. A guard of honour was also presented to President Aliyev at the Prime Minister’s House, and he laid a wreath at the National Monument, symbolizing his respect and solidarity with the Pakistani people.
During the visit, President Aliyev held high-level meetings with President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif. These meetings were pivotal in discussing a wide range of mutual interests and exploring avenues for further strengthening bilateral cooperation. The discussions underscored the strong desire from both sides to enhance collaboration across various sectors, reflecting the strategic importance of the Pakistan-Azerbaijan relationship.
One of the key highlights of the visit was the reaffirmation of the strategic partnership between Pakistan and Azerbaijan. Both Prime Minister Sharif and President Aliyev expressed satisfaction with the close security and defence cooperation between their countries.They highlighted the significance of the Trilateral Summit Level mechanism among Pakistan, Azerbaijan, and Türkiye, describing it as the dawn of a new era in regional relations. This trilateral mechanism is expected to foster closer cooperation and coordination on various regional and international issues.
Economic cooperation was a major focus of the discussions.
The two sides agreed to further enhance bilateral trade and investment, with a particular emphasis on developing joint investment projects in areas such as energy, infrastructure, connectivity, and the defence industry.
Prime Minister Sharif emphasized the importance of the recently concluded Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) and Transit Trade Agreement (TTA) in accelerating bilateral trade. These agreements are seen as crucial steps in boosting economic ties and facilitating smoother trade between the two countries.
During a joint press conference, Prime Minister Sharif and President Aliyev announced their commitment to increasing the bilateral investment level to $2 billion.
This initial figure is aimed at kickstarting a series of mutually beneficial projects that both nations believe can significantly enhance their economic relationship.
Prime Minister Sharif expressed optimism that by the time he visits Azerbaijan in November, the two sides would be ready to finalise agreements worth $2 billion, marking a substantial increase in their economic engagement.
The leaders also expressed satisfaction with the level of cooperation between their countries at multilateral fora, particularly the United Nations and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
President Aliyev reaffirmed Azerbaijan’s principled stance on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, supporting the right of self-determination for the Kashmiri people as enshrined in relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions. This reaffirmation was highly appreciated by Pakistan, which values Azerbaijan’s consistent support on this critical issue.
A significant aspect of the visit was the signing of fifteen agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) between the two countries.
These agreements covered a wide range of fields, including consular affairs, privatization, transit and preferential trade, legal collaboration, mineral resources, cultural exchange, information and communication technology, broadcasting, scientific and technical cooperation, tourism, air services, city twinning, and small and medium enterprise development.
The signing ceremony, witnessed by both leaders, was a testament to the comprehensive nature of the bilateral relationship and the mutual commitment to expanding cooperation across diverse sectors.
Prime Minister Sharif emphasized that the current volume of bilateral investment, which is less than $100 million, does not reflect the true potential of the strong brotherhood and friendship between Pakistan and Azerbaijan.
He expressed confidence that the new agreements and initiatives would significantly boost this figure, paving the way for greater economic integration and joint ventures. The Prime Minister highlighted the untapped potential in various sectors and reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to creating a conducive environment for Azerbaijani investors.
Expressing satisfaction over the discussions, Prime Minister Sharif noted that the meetings were held in an atmosphere of mutual trust and confidence. Both sides expressed their unwavering commitment to moving forward and achieving higher levels of cooperation in trade and investment.
The Prime Minister also acknowledged Azerbaijan’s support for Pakistan on various international platforms, particularly in the context of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute. This mutual support is seen as a cornerstone of the strategic partnership between the two countries.
Prime Minister Sharif also expressed hope that the upcoming climate summit COP29, to be hosted by Azerbaijan in Baku, would be a significant international event for all developing countries, including Pakistan.
He praised Azerbaijan’s leadership and expressed confidence that the summit would address key climate change issues affecting developing nations. He also mentioned Pakistan’s admiration for the beautification of Baku and expressed a desire to replicate some of its urban development models.
President Aliyev, in his remarks, highlighted the deep-rooted brotherhood between Azerbaijan and Pakistan. He emphasized that this relationship is built on strong historical and cultural ties and mutual support on international issues.
He reiterated Azerbaijan’s unwavering support for Pakistan’s stance on Jammu and Kashmir, citing the importance of international law and the rights of the Kashmiri people. President Aliyev expressed regret over the lack of implementation mechanisms for UN Security Council resolutions but assured continued support for the Kashmiri cause.
The President of Azerbaijan also discussed the potential for increased economic cooperation. He mentioned that both sides were analyzing several projects for the initial $2 billion investment. These projects span various sectors, including energy, connectivity, infrastructure, and the defence industry. President Aliyev expressed optimism that the strong political relationship between the two countries would be complemented by robust economic and trade partnerships.
The visit also included a cultural exchange component, with both sides expressing a desire to enhance people-to-people contacts and cultural ties. The agreements signed in the fields of cultural exchange and literature are expected to facilitate greater interaction between the peoples of Pakistan and Azerbaijan, fostering mutual understanding and appreciation of each other’s cultures.
President Aliyev’s visit to Pakistan was also marked by meetings with other high-ranking Pakistani officials. The President and his delegation were received by members of Prime Minister Sharif’s cabinet, including Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Information Minister Attaullah Tarar. These interactions provided an opportunity for both sides to discuss specific areas of cooperation and explore new avenues for collaboration.
President Ilham Aliyev’s visit to Pakistan was a significant milestone in the bilateral relationship between the two countries.
The visit underscored the strong strategic partnership and mutual commitment to enhancing cooperation across various sectors.
The agreements and MOUs signed during the visit are expected to pave the way for increased trade, investment, and joint ventures, marking a new phase in Pakistan-Azerbaijan relations.
Both countries have expressed a strong desire to build on this momentum and explore new opportunities for collaboration, reflecting the true potential of their brotherhood and friendship.
The visit also highlighted the mutual support on international issues, particularly the Kashmir dispute, and the shared commitment to addressing global challenges such as climate change. Overall, the visit was a testament to the deep-rooted ties between Pakistan and Azerbaijan and their shared vision for a prosperous and stable future.
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