Shehbaz, Aliyev pledge to diversify strategic ties
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Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev reaffirmed on Tuesday the shared commitment to diversifying the bilateral strategic partnership through investment in mutually beneficial avenues, said a news release issued from the Prime Minister's Office.
Shehbaz met with President Aliyev in the city of Lachin for talks on "the full spectrum of bilateral relations". During the meeting, both sides underscored the importance of coordinated efforts for regional stability and reiterated their principled positions on key international issues.
The talks on Azerbaijan's Independence Day and on the eve of a trilateral summit of Pakistan, Azerbaijan and Turkiye, added a symbolic dimension to the exchange between the two leaders. Shehbaz felicitated President Aliyev on this important national occasion.
The prime minister thanked Azerbaijan for its steadfast support during the recent Pakistan-India confrontation and acknowledged the public expressions of solidarity from both the leadership and the people of brotherly Azerbaijan.
Shehbaz noted that the people of Azerbaijan celebrated the success of Pakistan in Maarka-e-Haq. He added that both the countries had stood by each other on every occasion and would continue to do so, the news release stated.
"The two leaders reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral relations and expressed satisfaction over the upward trajectory of political, economic, defence, and cultural cooperation between Pakistan and Azerbaijan," read the news release.
"They reaffirmed their shared commitment to diversifying the strategic partnership through investment in mutually beneficial avenues," it said, adding that the Azerbaijan side agreed that delegation-level talks in this regard would be organised very soon.
The prime minister noted that holding the bilateral meeting in Lachin, a city that reflects Azerbaijan's journey of resilience and restoration, carried deep symbolic and emotional significance for both sides, according to the news release.
The meeting concluded with both leaders reaffirming their commitment to deepening the Pakistan-Azerbaijan partnership and working closely to further advance their shared objectives at the bilateral and regional levels.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Federal Minister for Information Attaullah Tarrar and Special Assistant to Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi were also present on the occasion.
(WITH INPUT FROM APP)
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