Prime Minister stresses efforts for maximum cooperation with Azerbaijan

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Justice (Retd.) Nasir-ul-Mulk Thursday said Pakistan and Azerbaijan should make efforts to attain the optimum level of economic cooperation in fields of trade, investment, energy and defence.

The caretaker prime minister said this in a meeting with Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Pakistan Ali Fikrat Oglu Alizada who called on him at the Prime Minister’s Office, said a PM Office statement.

The ambassador conveyed the greetings of the Azeri leadership to the prime minister and emphasized the importance that Azerbaijan attached to its relations with Pakistan.

He said Azerbaijan wanted to boost economic relations with Pakistan and the signing of Inter-Government Agreement on Energy Cooperation would pave the way for enhancing cooperation in multiple areas of energy between the two countries.

The ambassador appreciated Pakistan’s support for Azerbaijan’s position on Nagorno-Karabakh.

The prime minister noted that Pakistan and Azerbaijan traditionally enjoyed close, cordial relations marked by trust and understanding.

He said the bilateral collaboration in different sectors had been growing steadily. He also appreciated the visit of President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev to participate in the 13th ECO Summit in March last year.

The prime minister appreciated Azerbaijan’s continued support on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute and appreciated Azerbaijan’s invaluable role in the OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir.

The prime minister reiterated Pakistan’s principled position on the Nagorno-Karabakh issue.

He also commended the Azerbaijan’s initiative of hosting the first trilateral meeting between Foreign Ministers of Turkey, Pakistan and Azerbaijan and conveyed that Pakistan is willing to host the second trilateral meeting.

The prime minister also conveyed good wishes for the President of Azerbaijan.