Pakistan values brotherly ties with Azerbaijan: Naek

Senate Chairman Farooq H. Naek on Friday said Pakistan greatly values its close brotherly relations with Azerbaijan which was based on historical, cultural and religious commonality. Talking to the newly appointed Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Pakistan, Dashgin Shikarov who called on him here at the Parliament House, he said the two countries enjoyed commonalities of views on various regional and international issues.
"The support that we extend to each other on different issues is the manifestation of our strong ties," he added. Expressing his satisfaction over the close co-operation between the two countries in different fields, the chairman said the bilateral trade and economic cooperation could be greatly enhanced, the bilateral trade volume which stood at dollars 11.55 million per annum was not commensurate with the potential that exists between the two countries, there existed tremendous scope for cooperation in the field of defence. "Our two countries must jointly explore further avenues of co-operation in this field," he further added.
The Chairman appreciated Azerbaijan's support to the cause of Kashmir and Pakistan's endeavours for peaceful settlement of the dispute in accordance with the UN resolution and wishes of Kashmiri people. Naek said Pakistan would continue to extend principle support to Azerbaijan on the Nagorno Karabakh issue and other territories illegally occupied by Armenia.
He also underscore the need for more frequent Parliamentary exchanges and people to people contact for mutual advantage and said that such contacts helped consolidate the existing ties. The Ambassador thanked the Chairman for receiving him at the Parliament House and assured him that he would make all possible efforts to further strengthen the friendly relations between the two countries. The Chairman congratulated the Ambassador on his appointment as Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Pakistan and hoped that he would use his good offices to further strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.