ISLAMABAD (Khyber Mail): Pakistan and Azerbaijan on Thursday agreed to enhance the bilateral investment level of up to US$2 billion in areas of mutual beneficial projects.
In a joint press stakeout along with Azerbaijan President Illham Aliyev, after witnessing signing of agreements and MoUs in diverse areas between the two countries, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif said “we have discussed an initial figure of $2 billion investment in areas of mutual beneficial projects”.
The prime minister hoped that when he will visit Azerbaijan in November this year, the two sides would be ready to ink agreements worth $2 billion to start with, as there was great potential in both sides to multiply this figure in years to come.
Expressing satisfaction over the bilateral meeting, the prime minister said discussions were held on mutual trust and confidence where both sides expressed their unwavering commitment to move forward and touch higher levels of achievements in the fields of trade and investment.
Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev said the brotherhood between the two countries was based on deep feelings between peoples of the two sides. “This connection is a big asset, we are brothers, we are friends, and we support each other on every international issue.”
He said, “Our state forward support on the issue of Jammu and Kashmir, is our commitment to our brotherhood and also our respect to international law, the rights of Kashmiris are ignored and violated for decades.”
He said the UN Security Council resolutions clearly indicated how this issue must be resolved but unfortunately UNSC resolutions had no mechanism of implementation.
He said the two sides were analyzing the projects for initial investment of $2 billion. “During our today’s conversation, we reviewed several projects in the areas of energy, connectivity, infrastructure, and defence industry,” he said adding “we will built strong partnership not only on political level that we already had but also on economic and trade investment levels.”
Earlier today President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan arrived in Islamabad for a two-day official visit, greeted warmly by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif upon his arrival. This significant visit is poised to further strengthen the strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and Pakistan.
- Escorted by Pakistani Air Force Fighter Jets:
In a special gesture of honor, President Aliyev’s aircraft was escorted by Pakistani Air Force fighter jets upon entering Pakistan’s airspace, symbolizing the deep respect and strong ties between the two nations.
- High-Level Discussions to Enhance Bilateral Cooperation:
During his visit, President Aliyev is scheduled to engage in crucial discussions with President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. These talks will cover a wide range of topics aimed at enhancing bilateral cooperation between Azerbaijan and Pakistan.
- Signing of Strategic Agreements and MoUs:
The visit is anticipated to culminate in the signing of various agreements and Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), further solidifying the strategic partnership and fostering collaboration across multiple sectors.
- Guard of Honor at Prime Minister House:
At the Prime Minister House, President Aliyev was honored with a guard of honor by a contingent of the Pakistan Army. Prime Minister Sharif introduced him to senior officials, including Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and the Minister of Energy, underscoring the high-level engagement and respect accorded to the visiting dignitary.
- Symbolic Tree-Planting Ceremony and Cultural Tour:
President Aliyev’s itinerary also includes a tree-planting ceremony at Shakarparian, symbolizing the growing friendship between Azerbaijan and Pakistan. Additionally, he toured the Pakistan Monument, a symbol of the nation’s rich historical and cultural heritage, further highlighting the cultural exchange and mutual respect between the two countries.
This visit marks a significant milestone in the relationship between Azerbaijan and Pakistan, reflecting the commitment of both nations to furthering their strategic partnership and fostering mutual growth and cooperation.