Pakistan Keen to Connect with Azerbaijan through all Means including Direct Flights

Islamabad(Tazeen Akhtar)Minister Railway Pakistan Mr. Sheikh Rasheed has said that Pakistan and Azerbaijan are very close friendly countries that are attached with each other in several bonds like religion,brotherhood and history. Pakistan is keen to connect with Azerbaijan through all possible means of transport and communication including direct flights that are expected soon.

The Minister was addressing the guests at a grand reception hosted by Ambassador H.E Ali Alizada on 10 June 2019 at Serena Hotels Islamabad. The reception was to celebrate 101 years of establishment of Republic of Azerbaijan on 28 May 1918 as the first democracy in the Muslim East. A year later on 9 July 1919 Azerbaijan set up Ministry of Foreign Affairs.Thus completed 100 years of diplomatic service. This historical achievement was also marked with the reception.

Ambassador H.E Ali Alizada in his address said that “Occupation and annexation of Azerbaijan to the Soviet Union  in 1920 put the end of an independence of Azerbaijan and its independent diplomatic service, but the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan entered forever into the history of our nation and as the successor of ADR, Azerbaijan once again regained its independence in 1991 thanks to its rich statehood traditions and concepts of freedom of Azerbaijani people.”

The reception was attended by large number of notables from all walks of life. They included civil and military officials, politicians, parliamentarians, diplomats,businessmen representatives, civil society and media persons.

Federal Minister Sheikh Rasheed was chief guest who represented Gov of Pakistan. Prominent among others were former speaker National Assembly Gauhar Ayub Khan,Federal Ombudsperson for Protection against Harassment of Women at the Workplaces Kashmala Tariq, Chairman Senate Standing Committee on Defence Lt Gen R Abdul Qayum,Senator Dr Waseem Shahzad, Mayor Islamabad Sheikh Ansar Aziz, MNAs Pervez Malik and wife Shaista Pervez Malik and many others.

Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad highlighted different aspects of bilateral relations in his key note address. He was optimistic about increase in already present cooperation in diverse spheres including defence and people to people contacts.

Ambassador Ali Alizade in his welcome address said that Azerbaijan has also gained great achievements in the foreign policy field over the past years and strengthening the relations with Pakistan was always one of the main priorities of our foreign policy.

He said both countries are cooperating in political, economic, military, military-technical, defence industry, security, cultural, media, science, education, energy and humanitarian-social fields. 2nd meeting of Joint Working Group on Trade Cooperation was held in Islamabad and trade turnover between two countries increased around 25 % in 2018.

We had around 40 mutual visits of ministers, government and military officials from both sides, including the visit of Chairman of Senate, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee of Pakistan, Minister of Defence of Azerbaijan etc.

This year for the first time the Azerbaijani military contingent participated in Pakistan National Day Parade. Different humanitarian-social works were continued to be implemented by Heydar Aliyev Foundation of Azerbaijan in Pakistan as well.

The number of visitors, tourists between our countries increased more than 10 times in past two years and Azerbaijan Airlines has already presented its proposal to open direct flights to Pakistan. Hope soon we shall witness the flight operations between two countries.

Ambassador said that as a sign of close friendship and cooperation State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR) offered oil and oil products to Pakistan with deffered payment and Economic Coordination Commitee alllowed PSO to sign agreement in this field. Last year SOCAR has also proposed investment project in Pakistan which is under consideration by Pakistani Government too.

In 2018, Azerbaijan and Pakistan  have also started relations between space agensies of our countries for the first time and I am sure that it will also bring positive impact to our bilateral relations soon. There are a lot of fields in our relations where we can continue to speak positively and it makes us very happy.