Three-day visit: PM Nawaz lands in Azerbaijan’s capital

Will hold wide-ranging talks with Azerbaijan President Aliyev and Prime Minister Artur Tahir Rasizade

BAKU: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Thursday reached Azerbaijan’s capital Baku for a three-day official visit, during which he will hold talks to enhance bilateral cooperation in diverse fields with focus on trade and investment.

Upon his arrival, the PM was greeted at the airport by Azerbaijan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ali Ahmedov.

Paying the visit at the invitation of President Ilham Aliyev, the prime minister will hold wide ranging talks with Azeri leaders – including President Aliyev and Prime Minister Artur Tahir Rasizade.

These talks will cover all aspects of bilateral relations and regional and international issues of mutual interest. The PM will also exchange views on bilateral relations, economic cooperation and regional and international issues.

The two countries will seek to enhance bilateral cooperation in diverse fields with focus on trade and investment.  Bilateral relations, economic cooperation and ways to promote trade and investment will also be discussed. A joint declaration is expected to be signed during the visit.

Pakistan and Azerbaijan enjoy close and cooperative relations. Pakistan is among the first few countries that recognised the independence of Azerbaijan in October 1991 and established diplomatic relations with the Central Asian Republic by opening a resident mission in Baku.

The mutual support on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute and the Nagorno-Karabakh issue is a testimony to the close understanding between Pakistan and Azerbaijan.

The two countries also share common views on major regional and international issues and cooperate closely in the regional and multilateral forums, including the UN, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Economic Cooperation Orgnanisation (ECO).

In a statement, the Foreign Office spokesman said Pakistan and Azerbaijan enjoy close and cooperative relations, which are underpinned by commonalities of history, culture and faith.

“These ties are characterised by mutual respect, shared perceptions and common desire to promote peace, stability and development in the region,” he said, adding that the PM’s visit is reflective of his vision to enhance and strengthen Pakistan's relations with the neighbouring and regional countries.



Published in The Express Tribune, October 14^th, 2016.