Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev received a warm welcome upon his arrival in Pakistan for a two-day visit ( 11- 12 July 2024). The president's visit stands out as a significant milestone to mark deepening ties and renewed commitments to mutual growth between two brotherly countries, Pakistan and Azerbaijan. Both countries are advancing their unwavering commitment to advancing their bilateral relationship to unprecedented levels and have agreed to bolster and broaden cooperation across various fields, including trade, investment, energy, defence, education, climate action, and regional connectivity.
With the signing of 15 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and agreements across various sectors in the fields of trade, commerce, tourism, mines and minerals, science and technology, law and justice, and cultural exchange programmes, we are stepping towards enhancing and elevating strategic partnership. These documents establish a strong foundation for future collaborations and joint ventures, indicating a robust and multi-faceted partnership. Additionally, cooperation and collaboration in other fields can create new opportunities for mutual benefit, further strengthening the bond between Azerbaijan and Pakistan.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasised the goal of enhancing bilateral investment to $2 billion in mutually beneficial projects. The agreement to enhance and boost bilateral investment from the current $100 million is a positive step forward towards development and progress.
The groundwork for this visit was laid during the visit of Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov in May, where he engaged in comprehensive discussions with Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. A key topic during the discussions was the upcoming COP29 climate summit, which Azerbaijan is set to host in Baku. This event is expected to be a significant international gathering for developing countries, including Pakistan. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed confidence in President Aliyev's leadership, stating, “We are confident that under your wise stewardship, COP29 will deliver on the climate change-related issues of developing countries like Pakistan.”.
Strengthening Mutual Cooperation and Opportunities
Pakistan consistently supports Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and its stance on the Karabakh conflict, while Azerbaijan unequivocally backs Pakistan’s position on the Kashmir issue.
President Ilham Aliyev's visit to Pakistan will boost cooperation, and there are good prospects for economic cooperation between the two countries across diverse sectors. Pakistan’s textile industry and agricultural products can find ready markets in Azerbaijan, and expanding cooperation in transportation and logistics can further facilitate trade.
The Azerbaijan-Pakistan Technology Forum in 2022 also provided a strong basis for partnership in the information technology sector, and last year, in 2023, the two countries signed a framework agreement to export Azerbaijan’s LNG to Pakistan. Under this agreement, Azerbaijan’s state-run oil and gas company, Socar, would offer one LNG cargo per month to Pakistan’s PLL, fulfilling the energy requirements of the country.
In a related development, speaking at the inaugural Pakistan-Turkiye-Azerbaijan trilateral summit in Kazakhstan this month, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif proposed the establishment of tripartite institutional mechanisms in economic and investment areas to further strengthen cooperation among the three nations.
Both countries possess diverse economies with significant potential for trade and investment and a robust commitment to fostering economic, cultural, and strategic partnerships that promise a prosperous future and present opportunities for mutual economic growth.
Pakistan stands firmly with Azerbaijan in their collaborative efforts to promote regional peace, security, and stability and is committed to working closely with Azerbaijan on regional initiatives for sustainable growth opportunities. Their defence cooperation and joint counter-terrorism initiatives highlight this common priority. Both have unwavering support and a fair stance towards the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and inviolability of our internationally recognised borders. Historically, both countries have supported each other at the United Nations and other international forums.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to President Ilham Aliyev for visiting our country. The president's visit underscores both nations' dedication to working together for mutual benefit and regional stability. The friendship between Azerbaijan and Pakistan is flourishing and being built on shared values, win-win situations, mutual respect, and strategic alignment. Pakistan and Azerbaijan are embarking on a journey towards shared prosperity and a brighter future for their peoples through fostering closer ties, expanding trade, and embracing mutual cooperation.
Mr. Khalid Taimur Akram, Executive Director, Pakistan Research Center for a Community with Shared Future (PRCCSF), Islamabad
