Pakistan values ties with Azerbaijan, seeks enhanced business, energy cooperation: Ali Pervaiz
Pakistan values relations with Azerbaijan as the two countries stand by each other both in times of hardships and celebrations. These views were expressed by Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik while addressing the 107th anniversary of Independence Day of Azerbaijan at Mövenpick Hotel here Friday.
The event witnessed participation of a large number of distinguished guests including parliamentarian, diplomats, members of civil society and business community. A cake was also cut on the occasion and national anthems of the two countries were played.
Ali Pervaiz Malik highlighted the strong brotherly ties between the two countries and congratulated Azerbaijan ambassador Khazar Farhadov on behalf of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the people of Pakistan.
“Pakistan is thankful to its brotherly nations for standing with us during difficult times,” he said and emphasized the need to boost cooperation in oil and gas exploration, energy trade, and investment. The minister also spoke about the shared goal of enhancing energy connectivity and regional development.
The minister also announced his upcoming participation in the Baku Energy Week, where he will represent Pakistan and engage with global energy leaders to attract investment and promote sustainable energy initiatives.
Earlier in his welcome address, Ambassador Khazar said, the 107th anniversary marks the establishment of Azerbaijan democratic republic on May 28, 1918; first secular republic in the Muslim East. This day represents not only the declaration of sovereignty but also the spirit of resilience, sacrifice and unwavering quest for progress that characterizes the people of Azerbaijan.
Within a remarkably brief span Azerbaijan established its first Parliament and government, defined its borders, instituted state attributes and carried out crucial state-building measures, the ambassador briefed the audience.
Azerbaijan democratic republic though it had an existence of 23 months played a pivotal role in the formation of democratic traditions and history of national statehood and laid a solid foundation for the future independence of the Republic by strengthening the sentiments of freedom and independence, he further said.
Later, the legal successor of the Azerbaijan democratic republic, the independent republic of Azerbaijan restored its impudence in 1991 and managed to preserve its sovereignty, thanks to great leader of Azerbaijan, Heydar Aliyev who has made an immense contribution to the people and the state of Azerbaijan.
Since then, Azerbaijan has been implementing the policy of Heydar Aliyev, continuing and enriching it under the leadership of Ilham Aliyev, the current President of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
The ambassador noted that Pakistan was one of the first countries that recognized the independence of Azerbaijan on December 12, 1991 while diplomatic relations were established on June 9, 1992.
From the first day of independence, we feel Pakistan’s full support to the Republic of Azerbaijan both in bilateral format and within the framework of international organizations and during the occupation of Azerbaijani by invader Armenia and their liberation by Azerbaijan and in the post-conflict period, he said.
