Issue Brief on “Enhancing Cooperation: Pakistan Azerbaijan multi sectoral Partnership”

The President of Azerbaijan, H.E. Iham Aliyev, concluded his two-day visit to Pakistan on July 12, 2024. During the visit, he held meetings with President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif. The two sides exchanged views on a range of areas of mutual interest, committing to enhance cooperation across the broad spectrum of bilateral relations.[1] Additionally, Pakistan and Azerbaijan signed 15 MOUs and agreements. These MOUs/ agreements aim to enhance cooperation in the fields of trade, commerce, tourism, minerals, science and technology, law, justice, and cultural exchanges.[2]

Pakistan and Azerbaijan have traditionally enjoyed close cordial relations since the independence of Azerbaijan in 1991. Pakistan was one of the first countries to recognize Azerbaijan's independence and the formal diplomatic relations were established on 9 June 1992.[3] In 1995, the then President of Pakistan, Sardar Farooq Ahmed Khan Leghari, paid an official visit to Azerbaijan. President Heydar Aliyev reciprocated the gesture in 1996, paying an official visit to Pakistan. Similarly, in 1995, the protocol for establishment of 'Azerbaijan-Pakistan Joint Commission at Ministerial Level' was signed, to provide an institutional mechanism for the development of bilateral economic ties.[4] Moreover, consistent with Pakistan's strong commitment to non-aggression and upholding of the principle of territorial integrity of states, Pakistan along with Turkiye co-sponsored the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution 822, demanding an end to all hostilities by occupying forces of Armenia in Karabakh region of Azerbaijan.[5] Azerbaijan, as a member of OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir, has been advocating for a peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.

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