Prime Minister’s Visit to Azerbaijan (13-15 October 2016)

Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif paid a three-day official visit to Azerbaijan from 13-15 October 2016 at the invitation of President Ilham Aliyev. It was the first visit of the Prime Minister to Azerbaijan. The Prime Minister was accompanied by Mr. Irfan Siddiqui, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on National Affairs, Syed Tariq Fatemi, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs and senior government officials. The Prime Minister was received by the Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Ali Ahmadov along with the First Deputy Foreign Minister Mr. Khalaf Khalafov and senior government officers.

The Prime Minister held a tete-a-tete with President Aliyev followed by delegation-level talks and joint press stakeout. On his arrival at the Presidential Palace “Zagulba”, the Prime Minister was presented the Guard of Honour. The Prime Minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s categorical support to Azerbaijan for early resolution of Nagorno-Karabakh issue. President Aliyev, conveying profound gratitude by the people of Azerbaijan on Pakistan’s principled stance, expressed serious concern over brutal atrocities against the innocent civilians in Jammu & Kashmir. The Prime Minister called the mutual support on the Jammu & Kashmir dispute and the Nagorno-Karabakh issue a testimony to the close understanding between Pakistan and Azerbaijan. President Aliyev termed the response of international community a display of “double standards” since core issues remained unresolved despite lapse of decades without implementing relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

The Prime Minister also met with Prime Minister Artur Rasizade and visited the Milli Mejlis where he was briefed by Speaker Parliament Ogtay Asadov. The Azeri leaders thanked Pakistan for its unwavering support to Azerbaijan over the issue of Nagorno-Karabakh.

The Prime Minister was awarded honorary doctorate by the Azerbaijan’s biggest and oldest institution, Baku State University. The conferment ceremony was attended by doctors, scholars, researchers, faculty members and students of the University.

On the last day of the visit, the Prime Minister paid homage to late President Heyder Aliyev. The Prime Minister also visited the Martyrs’ Alley and laid a wreath.

The Prime Minister’s official visit to Azerbaijan did not only reinforce the existing excellent bilateral cordial relations but also opened vistas for further cooperation in other fields. It was agreed that a business delegation from Pakistan will visit Azerbaijan shortly to explore areas of enhancing trade. Important decisions were taken regarding cooperation in the fields of defence and defence cooperation. The sides also agreed to forge better military to military cooperation.

President Aliyev accepted the Prime Minister’s invitation to visit Pakistan.

A joint statement was issued at the successful conclusion of the visit.

Islamabad

15 October 2016

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