Azerbaijan defense industry, Vugar Mustafayev, met Friday with 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 his satisfaction with the current trajectory of relations between Pakistan and Azerbaijan, particularly in the areas of commerce, energy and defense. Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to diversify and deepen bilateral cooperation for the mutual benefit of both nations. Minister Mustafayev thanked the prime minister for warm hospitality provided to him and his delegation.
Mustafayev’s visit is part of the eighth session of the Joint Ministerial Commission Pakistan-Azerbaijan, co-presided by the Federal Minister of Defense Production, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, and Mustafayev. The session, held from January 23 to 24, 2025 in Islamabad, concluded with important debates on key areas of mutual interest.
Key agreements and focus areas
Both countries agreed to implement the preferential commercial agreement (ACP) between Azerbaijan and Pakistan, signed in July 2024, and explore opportunities for joint companies and investments between their businesses.
Both parties agreed to accelerate the signature of a MOU for the production and joint sale of defense hardware, promoting the collaboration of the defense industry.
The discussion also focused on advancing in the strategic underground gas storage project and inviting Azerbaijan to participate in energy infrastructure projects, including the laying of a white pipeline.
Both countries promised to improve cooperation in agriculture through joint cotton research, cereal cultivation and seed development. Exchanges between agricultural products companies were also encouraged.
Both nations agreed to collaborate in advanced diagnoses, medical tourism and public health emergencies, while exploring ways for research and health -related capabilities.
Minister Mustafayev stressed the importance of creating new joint work groups to further strengthen bilateral cooperation, which, in his opinion, will lead to significant advances in several sectors.
The two parties also discussed the next ninth session of the joint commission, which is scheduled to take place in Baku in 2027. The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to continuous growth and prosperity for both nations.
In his comments, Minister Asif said that high -level exchanges, including the visits of President Ilham Aliyev and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, had significantly reinforced cooperation in the energy, defense and trade sectors.
