BAKU: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, accompanied by Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir, met Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on Friday at the Presidential Palace in Baku.
Their discussions aimed at further strengthening the longstanding ties between Pakistan and Azerbaijan, with a focus on expanding cooperation across multiple sectors, including politics, trade, defence, energy, and regional connectivity.
The Prime Minister expressed his gratitude to President Aliyev for the invitation to attend Azerbaijan’s Victory Day celebrations, commemorating the country’s historic victory in the 44-day Karabakh Liberation War against Armenia.
In his remarks, Mr Sharif extended heartfelt congratulations to the Azerbaijani leadership and people, describing their triumph as a “beacon of hope for all oppressed peoples striving for self-determination,” including those in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and Palestine.
The two leaders held in-depth discussions on a broad spectrum of bilateral issues. They agreed on the need to enhance multi-dimensional cooperation, particularly in the fields of trade, investment, energy, defence, and political engagement. Both sides underscored the importance of deepening bilateral ties and explored new avenues to strengthen their strategic partnership for the mutual benefit of their nations.
In a significant gesture of goodwill, Prime Minister Sharif extended a formal invitation to President Aliyev to visit Pakistan at his earliest convenience. The Azerbaijani leader graciously accepted the invitation, expressing his enthusiasm for further enhancing bilateral relations and exploring new opportunities for collaboration.
President Aliyev, in turn, expressed his heartfelt thanks to Pakistan for its unwavering support during Azerbaijan’s struggle to liberate the Karabakh region. He also praised Pakistan’s constructive role in fostering peace and stability in South Asia, highlighting the shared values and aspirations that bind the two nations together.
The meeting concluded with both leaders reaffirming their commitment to advancing bilateral relations, with a focus on promoting peace, prosperity, and security in their respective regions. The discussions underscored the growing significance of Pakistan-Azerbaijan ties, setting the stage for a deeper and more comprehensive partnership in the years to come.–APP
