——— Agreements in trade, commerce, tourism, technology, culture signed in ceremony witnessed by leaders of both nations
——— Both sides vow to boost bilateral investment up to $2bn
By Anzal Amin
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Azerbaijan signed 15 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and agreements on Thursday to enhance bilateral cooperation across various sectors including trade, commerce, tourism, minerals, science and technology, law, justice, and cultural exchange programs.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev witnessed the signing ceremony at the PM House.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, along with Azerbaijan’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Samir Sharifov, signed an MoU between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of both countries on Consular Affairs. Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan and Azerbaijan’s Deputy Minister of Economy Sahib Mammadov signed a Preferential Trade Agreement between the governments of Azerbaijan and Pakistan.
Similarly, Minister for Privatization Abdul Aleem Khan and Azerbaijan’s Deputy Minister of Economy Sahib Mammadov signed an MoU on cooperation between the Ministries of Economy of both countries in privatization of state property.
An agreement on Transit Trade between the governments of Azerbaijan and Pakistan was also signed.
The two sides agreed on a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) between Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Justice and Pakistan’s Ministry of Law and Justice, signed by Minister for Law Azam Nazeer Tarar and Azerbaijan’s Minister for Defence Industry Vugar Mustafayev.
An MoU between the governments of Pakistan and Azerbaijan on cooperation in mineral resources and geology was signed by Petroleum Minister Dr. Musadik Malik and Azerbaijan’s Minister of Energy.
Minister for Heritage and Culture Attaullah Tarar and Azerbaijan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Samir Sharifov signed the Cultural Exchange Program between Pakistan and Azerbaijan for the years 2024-2029.
An MoU on cooperation in information and communication technologies between Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Digital Development and Transport and Pakistan’s Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication was signed.
Secretary of Information Shahera Shahid and Azerbaijan’s Ambassador Khazar Farhadov signed an MoU between Azerbaijan Television and Radio Broadcasting (CJSC) and Pakistan Television Corporation (PTVC).
An MoU on establishing twinning links between Baku and Islamabad was signed, along with another MoU between Azerbaijan’s Small and Medium Business Development Agency and SMEDA Pakistan.
An agreement for scientific and technological cooperation between the governments of Pakistan and Azerbaijan was also signed.
Secretary IPC Nadeem Irshad Kayani and Azerbaijan’s Minister of Defence Industry signed an agreement on cooperation in tourism.
Chairman of Pakistan Academy of Letters Prof. Dr. Najeeba Arif and Azerbaijan’s Ambassador Khazar Farhadov signed an MoU on cooperation in literature between Azerbaijan’s Institute of Literature named after Nizami Ganjavi and Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL).
Additionally, an Air Services Agreement was signed between the governments of Pakistan and Azerbaijan.
