Azerbaijan Minister for Defense Industry Vugar Mustafayev on Friday met Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad to strengthen bilateral ties between Pakistan and Azerbaijan. The meeting focused on improving cooperation in various sectors, including trade, energy, defense and investment.
During the meeting, Prime Minister Sharif expressed satisfaction with the current trajectory of Pakistan-Azerbaijan relations, particularly in the areas of trade, energy and defense. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to diversifying and deepening bilateral cooperation for the mutual benefit of both nations. Minister Mustafayev thanked the Prime Minister for the warm hospitality extended to him and his delegation.
Mustafayev’s visit is part of the 8th session of the Pakistan-Azerbaijan Joint Ministerial Commission, co-chaired by Federal Minister for Defense Production Khawaja Muhammad Asif and Mustafayev. The session, held from January 23 to 24, 2025, in Islamabad, concluded with important discussions on key areas of mutual interest.
Key agreements and areas of focus
The two countries agreed to implement the Azerbaijan-Pakistan Preferential Agreement (PTA), signed in July 2024, and explore possibilities for joint ventures and investments between their companies.
The two sides agreed to accelerate the signing of a memorandum of understanding for joint production and sale of defense equipment, boosting defense industry collaboration.
The discussion also focused on the advancement of the strategic underground gas storage project and the invitation to Azerbaijan to participate in energy infrastructure projects, including the laying of a white oil pipeline.
The two countries are committed to improving cooperation in agriculture through joint research in cotton, grain cultivation and seed development. Business-to-business trade in agricultural products was also encouraged.
The two nations agreed to collaborate on advanced diagnostics, medical tourism and public health emergencies, while exploring avenues for health-related research and capacity building.
Minister Mustafayev highlighted the importance of creating new joint working groups to further strengthen bilateral cooperation, which he believes will lead to significant progress in various sectors.
The two sides also discussed the upcoming 9th Joint Commission Session, which is expected to take place in Baku in 2027. The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to the continued growth and prosperity of the two nations.
In his remarks, Minister Asif noted that the high-level exchanges, including the visits of President Ilham Aliyev and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, had significantly strengthened cooperation across the energy, defense and security sectors. trade.
