Islamabad, In a significant move to bolster bilateral relations, Pakistan and Azerbaijan have agreed to enhance cooperation across diverse areas including trade, investment, energy, defense, and connectivity. This decision was reached during high-level delegation talks held in Islamabad, marking a progressive step towards strengthening their multifaceted partnership.
According to Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the talks were led by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar of Pakistan and his counterpart, Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov of Azerbaijan. During a subsequent joint news conference, Minister Dar emphasized the intent to expand bilateral investments, particularly in the energy sector, underscoring the formation of a joint working group on energy as a key initiative towards this goal.
The discussions also highlighted efforts to boost parliamentary exchanges, cultural ties, and people-to-people contacts, including between students, academia, businessmen, and tourists. Minister Dar praised the existing strategic and economic relations, which are characterized by regular high-level exchanges and dialogues.
Minister Dar reiterated Pakistan’s support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and appreciated Azerbaijan’s backing of Pakistan on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute and its support for Pakistan’s candidature as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.
Foreign Minister Bayramov, on his part, affirmed Azerbaijan’s support for a peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in line with UN Security Council resolutions. He also outlined the potential for enhanced cooperation in sectors like Information Technology, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, heavy industries, tourism, and transport.
Minister Bayramov expressed confidence that the upcoming session of the Pakistan-Azerbaijan intergovernmental commission in Islamabad would further boost economic relations. He also noted the role of direct flights in expanding tourism and people-to-people contacts and highlighted Azerbaijan’s upcoming presidency of the UN Conference on Climate Change (COP29), which he said would foster cooperation in clean energy and green transitions.
The ministers also addressed global issues, including the situation in Palestine, with both calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities and advocating for a two-state solution in line with United Nations resolutions.