Strong ties exist between Azerbaijan, Pakistan: envoy

Says direct flights between two countries to start soon

ISLAMABAD: Ambassador of Azerbaijan Ali Alizada has expressed gratitude to Pakistani government and people for continued cooperation, support and interest to further expand and strengthen bilateral relations.

“We are grateful to Pakistan’s stand on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict,” Ambassador Alizada made these remarks while speaking on the occasion of national day and 100th anniversary of Azerbaijan diplomacy.

“Azerbaijan also always stands with and supports Pakistan in all issues,” he said.

Pakistan condemns aggressor Armenia which has occupied 20% of internationally recognised Azerbaijani territories, the envoy acknowledged at the event attended by a large number guests from various walks of life including Minister for Railways Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed.

Ahmed the occasion expressed hope that relations between the two countries will become stronger in the coming days.

The railways minister assured Pakistan will continue its wholehearted support to Azerbaiajn on the issue of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Ambassador Alizada further said: “I congratulate all my countrymen on the occasion of national day and all employees of our diplomatic service of Azerbaijan on 100th Anniversary of Azerbaijan diplomacy.”

He called for starting direct flights between the two countries. As a sign of close friendship and cooperation

Oil assistance and peace cooperation

State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR) offered oil and oil products to Pakistan with deffered payment and Economic Coordination Committee allowed PSO to sign an agreement in this field.

He said last year SOCAR has also proposed investment project in Pakistan which is under consideration by Pakistani government too.

In 2018, Azerbaijan and Pakistan have also started relations between space agencies of the two countries for the first time and I am sure that it will also bring positive impact to bilateral relations soon.

Rising incomes

Today, Azerbaijan under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev is one of the rapidly developing countries of the world and continues its dynamic progress. Over the past 15 years, Azerbaijan’s economy has grown by 300%.

Poverty and unemployment have been sharply diminished, with measures of both now standing under 5 percent. Azerbaijan has a very low foreign debt around 17 percent of our GDP and our reserves are bigger than foreign debt five times.

In the Doing Business 2019 report, Azerbaijan climbed 32 spots and ranked 25th among 190 countries. This is one of the most successful and greatest achievements in the history of the Doing Business rating.

Totally ignoring the demands of the UN Security Council and flagrantly violating international law, Armenia refuses to withdraw its troops from Azerbaijani territories.

Armenia’s policy of occupation can never result in success. The Nagorno-Karabakh region has been and is an integral part of Azerbaijan and will always be like this. International law.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 12^th, 2019.