Pakistan, Azerbaijan vow to expand cooperation

Pakistan and Azerbaijan have affirmed commitment to expand cooperation in areas of bilateral interest, especially energy, trade, connectivity, defence, and people-to-people linkages. This commitment has been affirmed during a meeting between President Asif Ali Zardari and visiting President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev in Islamabad today. Welcoming President of Azerbaijan, Asif Ali Zardari said both countries enjoy excellent relations and have a great scope of further improving ties in various areas of mutual interest. He underlined need for more regular engagements between the people and businessmen of Pakistan and Azerbaijan to cement bilateral ties. The President highlighted importance of Gwadar port, saying Central Asian Countries and Azerbaijan can benefit from it for promoting regional trade, connectivity and tourism, besides bringing shared economic prosperity to the region. He said Pakistan wants to build a sustainable and result-oriented engagement with Central Asian Republics and Azerbaijan. Sp eaking on the occasion, President Ilham Aliyev said two countries needed to promote business-to-business relations for enhancing economic relations. He said Pakistan and Azerbaijan can also explore possibility of working together in the renewable energy sector. Later, President hosted a banquet in honour of President Ilham Aliyev and his delegation, which was also attended by Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Federal Ministers, parliamentarians, diplomats and journalists at President's House. The President expressed his warm greetings for the people of Azerbaijan and reassured Pakistan's unwavering support for Azerbaijan. Source: Radio Pakistan