President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan concluded his two-day state visit to Pakistan on July 12, marked by the signing of 15 different agreements, worth over $2 billion, aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation.
Pakistan and Azerbaijan agreed to further enhance ties and cooperation in energy, trade, connectivity, defense, and people-to-people linkages.
The agreement came during the meetings of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev with Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad.
“Both countries enjoyed excellent relations and had a great scope of further improving ties in various areas of mutual interest,” said President Zardari, according to a statement issued from his office.
President Aliyev echoed the sentiments of brotherhood and deep connection between the two nations. “This connection is a big asset, we are brothers, we are friends, and we support each other on every international issue,” he said.
Azerbaijan’s president received a warm welcome in Pakistan. Pakistani JF-17 Thunder fighter jets escorted the presidential aircraft as soon as it entered Pakistan’s airspace.
Pakistan and Azerbaijan sign 15 agreements
The visit concluded with the signing of 15 agreements and memorandums of understanding (MoUs) in diverse fields, including transit trade, mineral resources, tourism, consular affairs, preferential trade, and cultural exchange programs.
“Pakistan and Azerbaijan have signed fifteen agreements and MoUs for cooperation in diverse fields,” reported state broadcaster Radio Pakistan. The agreements were signed in the presence of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Aliyev, with ministers from both sides shaking hands to formalize the commitments.
These agreements encompass a wide range of areas such as consular affairs, transit trade, preferential trade, privatization of state property, law and justice, mineral resources, geology, and cultural exchange programs.
Additionally, the two countries agreed to collaborate in information technology and telecommunication, television production, scientific and technical cooperation, tourism, air services, and the establishment of twin cities between Baku and Islamabad. Agreements on small and medium enterprises, literature, and science were also finalized.
Investment projects worth $2 billion
One of the most significant outcomes of the visit was the announcement of potential investment projects worth $2 billion.
Prime Minister Sharif emphasized the need to enhance bilateral trade and cooperation, noting that the current trade volume of $100 million does not reflect the strong brotherhood and friendship between the two countries.
“We have discussed an initial figure of $2 billion of investments in areas of mutual beneficial projects,” Sharif stated, expressing hope for formal agreements by his visit to Azerbaijan in November.
Aliyev confirmed that delegations from both nations would continue discussions on investment projects worth $2 billion, particularly in energy, infrastructure, connectivity, and the defense industry.
“We will build a strong partnership not only on a political level, which we already have, but also on economic, trade, and investment levels,” he said.
Before departing, Aliyev and his delegation viewed a military exhibition at the National Aerospace Science and Technology Park and participated in significant discussions with Pakistani leaders.
Kashmir and Karabakh
Aliyev reiterated Azerbaijan’s support for the issue of Jammu and Kashmir, emphasizing the importance of international law and the rights of Kashmiris.
The President noted that the UN Security Council resolutions outlined how the Kashmir issue should be resolved but lamented the lack of implementation mechanisms. “But we as brothers and friends will always stand side by side with you, with our brothers in Kashmir, with international law, with justice, and I am sure justice will prevail,” he stated.
Aliyev also thanked Pakistan for its support to Baku during its war against Armenia in Karabakh, saying the support “gave us more power.”
“Pakistan and Türkiye are the countries who have always supported Azerbaijan on the Karabakh issue. Azerbaijan has a unique relationship with the two countries,” he added.
Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan has always supported Azerbaijan’s stand on Nagorno-Karabakh.