On Friday, Pakistan and Azerbaijan pledged to enhance their cooperation in energy, trade, connectivity, defence, and fostering connections between their people. President Asif Ali Zardari of Pakistan and the visiting President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, committed this during a meeting at Aiwan-i-Sadr.
President Zardari greeted President Aliyev and underlined the profound friendship between the two nations. He highlighted the possibility for even better relations in several spheres of mutual interest. He underscored the need for frequent contacts between Pakistan and Azerbaijan’s people and business groups to improve bilateral relationships.

During their talks, President Zardari emphasized the importance of the Gwadar port, implying that Azerbaijan and other Central Asian nations may benefit from it to boost regional trade, connectivity, and tourism, thereby generating shared economic growth. Furthermore, they praised the Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) signed between Pakistan and Azerbaijan. The Memoranda of Understanding aims to boost trade, business, tourism, mining and minerals, research and technology, law and justice, and culture.

President Aliyev pointed to the regular interactions between Pakistani and Azerbaijani citizens. To strengthen economic links, he underlined the significance of improving business-to-business partnerships. He also advised both nations to look at cooperative renewable energy projects.

President Zardari later hosted a banquet in honor of President Aliyev and his delegation. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, federal ministers, parliamentarians, diplomats, and journalists attended the event at the President’s House.

A high-level Azerbaijani team met with Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Petroleum and Water Resources, Dr. Musadik Malik, on the margins of the visit. Boosting bilateral trade and investment was the goal. Dr. Malik also gave a thorough presentation on Pakistani investment prospects and welcomed the Azerbaijan group led by Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov. He emphasized Pakistan’s goal of building economic corridors from Central Asia to Europe and reaching various regional markets. He also underlined significant investment prospects in Pakistani mining and minerals, especially gold and copper.

The meeting also covered cooperation in the oil and gas sector. Dr. Malik pointed out that Pakistan has a significant energy demand and suggested that both countries could leverage their IT potential, especially in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and human resource training. The Azerbaijani side showed a keen interest in Pakistan’s proposals for enhancing trade. Both countries agreed to strengthen working groups to pursue these proposals. 

Mr. Shahbazov thanked the Pakistani side for the comprehensive briefing on investment opportunities. He emphasized the importance of holding working group meetings soon. Both sides agreed to appoint focal points, shortlist projects, and present them to their leadership for approval at an early date.