Trade potential with Azerbaijan highlighted

Pakistan has strengthened regional balance, Punjab CM tells President Aliyev

LAHORE:

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif led a high-level delegation in an important meeting with the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, after receiving a grand diplomatic welcome in the capital Baku.

According to a statement released here, the meeting came in continuation of a longstanding friendship between PML-N leader Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and President Aliyev,

During the meeting, both sides appreciated the growing brotherly relations and strategic partnership between Pakistan and Azerbaijan. Discussions were held on cooperation in political, economic, diplomatic, defence and other sectors, while both sides also highlighted the strong potential for expansion of bilateral trade relations.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz conveyed greetings from former premier Nawaz Sharif and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif to President Ilham Aliyev.

The Azerbaijani president thanked her for the message and requested that his greetings also be conveyed to the premier and Nawaz Sharif. President Ilham Aliyev recalled the cordial relations between national leader Heydar Aliyev and Nawaz Sharif.

CM Maryam Nawaz thanked President Aliyev for inviting her to participate in the 13th session of the United Nations World Urban Forum and praised the arrangements made for the global event.

The meeting also acknowledged Pakistan's responsible and mediatory role in efforts for restoration of peace following recent Iran-US tensions. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his team were appreciated for their continuous diplomatic efforts and measures aimed at ensuring regional stability.

Both sides discussed matters relating to centres established in Pakistan on the pattern of Azerbaijan's "Asan Khidmet" model.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said important global issues relating to urban planning would be discussed in Baku.

She remarked that Azerbaijan's capital was a beautiful blend of culture and modern urban planning, adding that the city's beauty had left a deep impression on her.

The chief minister and her delegation also visited the mausoleum of modern Azerbaijan's founder Heydar Aliyev and paid tribute to him.

She said the untiring efforts of Nawaz Sharif had formed the foundation of Pakistan's development, peace and stability.

She stated that Pakistan's strategic position was extremely important for maintaining a balance in the region.

"Pakistan, being the only nuclear power in the Muslim world, holds extraordinary importance on the global map," she said.