BAKU: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Baku yesterday for a two-day official visit to Azerbaijan. Upon arrival at Heydar Aliyev International Airport, the prime minister was warmly received by senior Azerbaijani officials, including First Deputy Prime Minister Yaqub Abdulla oglu Eyyubov, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Yalchin Rafiyev, Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Pakistan Khazar Farkhadov, Pakistan's ambassador to Azerbaijan Qasim Mohiuddin and other senior dignitaries. During the visit, the prime minister will hold high-level meetings with the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and other senior Azerbaijani officials.

The premier is accompanied by a high-level ministerial delegation, including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan, Minister for Investment & Privatization Abdul Aleem Khan, Minister for Overseas Pakistanis & Human Resource Development Chaudhry Salik Hussain, Information Minister Ataullah Tarar, and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Syed Tariq Fatemi

The discussions will focus on further strengthening bilateral relations, expanding trade and investment, enhancing cooperation in the energy sector, synergize efforts to deal with climate change, deepening defense collaboration, and fostering cultural exchanges.

Several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and agreements are expected to be signed, further solidifying the partnership between the two countries. As part of his engagements, PM Shehbaz and the Azerbaijani leadership will also address the Pakistan-Azerbaijan Business Forum, scheduled for Monday.

The forum will bring together business leaders from both countries to explore avenues for joint ventures and trade and investment opportunities, emphasising business-to-business (B2B) collaboration. Pakistan and Azerbaijan share a long-standing bond of brotherhood, underpinned by shared values and common aspirations.

This visit underscores the commitment of both nations to deepening their bilateral ties, enhancing economic cooperation, and fostering regional collaboration.

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif's visit to Azerbaijan marks a significant step in further cementing the ties between the two countries.

Upon his arrival at the Heydar Aliyev International Airport, the Prime Minister received a warm welcome from Azerbaijani officials, highlighting the longstanding friendship and mutual respect between Pakistan and Azerbaijan.

Throughout his two-day visit, the Prime Minister is expected to engage in comprehensive discussions with Azerbaijan's leadership, including President Ilham Aliyev. These high-level talks will focus on enhancing collaboration in key areas such as trade, investment, energy, defense, and culture.

Strengthening economic cooperation will be one of the core aspects of the visit, with particular emphasis on fostering joint ventures and enhancing business-to-business (B2B) connections between the two nations.

The Pakistan-Azerbaijan Business Forum will play a pivotal role in these efforts, creating new opportunities for business leaders from both countries to explore investment and trade prospects.

The visit will also address critical global challenges, such as climate change, with both countries agreeing to combine efforts in tackling environmental issues. Additionally, the growing defense collaboration between Pakistan and Azerbaijan will be explored to ensure security in the region.

This high-profile visit underscores the mutual commitment to enhancing bilateral ties and collaboration, marking another milestone in the shared aspirations of Pakistan and Azerbaijan for a prosperous future.

Published in The Daily National Courier, February, 24 2025

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