Baku: Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev held an expanded meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, discussing ways to bolster bilateral relations and economic cooperation between the two nations. This meeting, which took place on February 24, marked a significant step towards enhancing the brotherly ties shared by Azerbaijan and Pakistan.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, President Aliyev expressed his pleasure in hosting Prime Minister Sharif in Azerbaijan, recalling the warm hospitality extended to him during his state visit to Pakistan the previous year. The discussions focused on a comprehensive economic agenda, with both leaders agreeing on the mutual benefits of strengthening economic collaboration. President Aliyev highlighted Azerbaijan’s commitment to invest a minimum of $2 billion in various projects within Pakistan, emphasizing the importance of these investments in fostering closer relations.
The meeting underscored the importance of supporting each other in international institutions and the shared commitment to upholding territorial integrity and sovereignty. Both leaders instructed their teams to finalize agreements and prepare documents for Azerbaijani investments in Pakistan within a month. The meeting also set the stage for discussions at the upcoming Business Forum, aimed at aligning the economic partnership with the strong political ties between the two countries.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, in his response, expressed gratitude for the warm reception and acknowledged the significant impact of President Aliyev’s previous visit to Pakistan. He praised the efforts of Azerbaijani horticulture experts in beautifying Islamabad and reiterated the strong bond between the two nations. Prime Minister Sharif highlighted the unity between Pakistan and Azerbaijan, emphasizing the shared vision for future cooperation.
The expanded format meeting, reported by APA, provided a platform for both leaders to delve deeper into shared goals, setting a foundation for a robust partnership that extends beyond political alliances to tangible economic collaborations.