ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Azerbaijan on Thursday signed 15 Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) and agreements to promote bilateral cooperation in various fields including trade, commerce, tourism, mines and minerals, science technology, law and justice and cultural exchange programs.
Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev is in Islamabad on a two-day official visit, at the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev witnessed the signing ceremony held at the PM House in Islamabad.
Pakistan’s Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Azerbaijan Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Samir Sharifov signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan on Consular Affairs.
The Preferential Trade Agreement between the government of Azerbaijan and the government of Pakistan was signed by Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan and Deputy Minister of Economy Azerbaijan Sahib Mammadov.
Similarly, an MoU on the cooperation between the Ministry of Economy of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Privatization of Pakistan in the field of privatization of state property was signed by Minister for Privatization Abdul Aleem Khan and Deputy Minister of Economy Azerbaijan Sahib Mammadov.
Another agreement on Transit Trade between the governments of Azerbaijan and Pakistan was also signed between the two countries.
The two sides also agreed on a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) between the Ministry of Justice of Azerbaijan and the Minister of Law and Justice of Pakistan. The MoC was signed by Minister for Law Azam Nazeer Tarar and Azerbaijan Minister for Defence Industry Vugar Mustafayev.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the government of Pakistan and Azerbaijan on cooperation in the field of mineral resources and geology was signed by Petroleum Minister Dr Musadik Malik and Azerbaijan Minister of Energy.
The Cultural Exchange Program between Pakistan and Azerbaijan for the year 2024-2029 was signed by Minister for Heritage and Culture Attaullah Tarar and Azerbaijan Minister of Foreign Affairs Samir Sharifov.
Likewise, the two sides also signed an MoU between the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication of Pakistan on cooperation in the fields of information and communication technologies.
An MoU on cooperation between Azerbaijan Television and Radio Broadcasting (CJSC) and Pakistan Television Corporation (PTVC) was signed by Secretary Information Shahera Shahid and Ambassador of Azerbaijan Khazar Farhadov.
The two sides also signed an MoU on establishing twinning links between the city of Baku and Islamabad, and another MoU between the Small and Medium Business Development Agency of Azerbaijan and SMEDA Pakistan.
An agreement between the Government of Pakistan and the Government of Azerbaijan for scientific and technological cooperation was also signed between the two sides.
An agreement on cooperation in the field of tourism between the government of Azerbaijan and the Government of Pakistan was signed by Secretary IPC Nadeem Irshad Kayani and Azerbaijan Minister of Defence Industry.
An MoU on cooperation in the field of literature between the Institute of Literature named after Nizami Ganjavi of Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS) and Pakistan Academy of Literature (PAL) was signed by Chairman Pakistan Academy of Letters Prof Dr Najeeba Arif and Ambassador of Azerbaijan Khazar Farhadov.
The Air Services Agreement was also signed between the governments of Pakistan and Azerbaijan.
Pakistan and Azerbaijan also discussed enhancing investments worth $2 billion in areas of mutually beneficial projects.
Addressing a joint press stake-out, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said teams of both countries will further exchange views on this matter tomorrow and hopefully both countries will be ready to ink an agreement during his upcoming visit to Azerbaijan.
PM Shehbaz said Pakistan and Azerbaijan have immense investment potential worth billions of dollars in years to come. He said the two countries have agreed to enhance bilateral trade as well.
The Prime Minister said Pakistan has always supported Azerbaijan’s stand on Nagorno-Karabakh, while the latter has extended similar support for the cause of Kashmiris, who have made huge sacrifices to achieve their right of self-determination as per UN Security Council resolutions.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also conveyed his best wishes to the Azerbaijan President and its people as the country is prepared to host the COP29 in Baku. It will be a significant international event for all developing countries, including Pakistan.
The Prime Minister said we are quite confident that under your leadership COP29 will deliver on the Climate Change related issues of developing countries like Pakistan.
Speaking on the occasion, the Azerbaijan President said his country looks forward to building a strong partnership with Pakistan at the economic and trade level.
Expressing satisfaction over the existing level of political ties between the two countries, President Ilham Aliyev said we will increase our bilateral trade volume.
The Azerbaijan President said they have identified nine initial priority areas for preferential trade. He said we have discussed several projects in areas of energy infrastructure and defence industry.
Referring to Shehbaz Sharif’s last year visit to Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev said the visit was a breakthrough and the two countries have always supported and cooperated with each other.
He said we now engage in practical elements of cooperation like trade, energy, investment and corridors of transportation.
Prime Minister of Pakistan, H.E. Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and President of Azerbaijan, H.E. Ilham Aliyev witnesses the signing of MoUs and Agreements in various sectors between Pakistan and Azerbaijan, today in Islamabad.
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— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) July 11, 2024
