Islamabad: Pakistan and Azerbaijan have pledged to strengthen their bilateral relations by increasing trade, investment, and collaborative ventures in energy, infrastructure, connectivity, and the defense industry. This commitment was solidified during a two-day state visit by Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev, which concluded with a series of agreements aimed at enhancing cooperation between the two nations.

According to Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the visit marked the signing of fifteen agreements and MOUs, covering a wide array of sectors including trade, legal affairs, cultural exchanges, and technology. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Ilham Aliyev also reiterated their dedication to a strategic partnership, highlighting their ongoing security and defense cooperation and their roles within international organizations like the United Nations and the OIC.

The leaders lauded the newly established Trilateral Summit Level mechanism with Türkiye, viewing it as a groundbreaking development in regional collaboration. President Aliyev also reaffirmed Azerbaijan’s support for Kashmir under the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions, emphasizing the importance of self-determination for the Kashmiri people.

The state visit, which was initiated at the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, included formal discussions with not only Prime Minister Sharif but also Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari, focusing on a broad spectrum of mutual interests. The visit underscored a mutual desire to deepen ties across all facets of bilateral relations, marking a significant step toward closer cooperation between Pakistan and Azerbaijan.