Islamabad: Chairman Senate Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, leading a parliamentary delegation to Azerbaijan , called on the President of Azerbaijan Mr. Illah Heydar Aliyev and exchanged views on matters of mutual interests, bilateral cooperation, regional peace and stability. Mr. Gilani observed that Pakistan cherishes its long historic , cultural and religious affinities with Azerbaijan and desires to further expand the mutually beneficial relationships in diverse sectors. The Chairman Senate underscored the need for regular interactions between parliamentary leaders. He said that Pakistan and Azerbaijan have already signed and MOU to enhance parliamentary cooperation. He said that the two parliaments have dedicated friendship groups which are contributing to the deeping of bilateral ties. The Chairman Senate also underlined the need for enhanced trade and economic relations between the two sides. He informed the President of Azerbaijan that a Special Investment Facilitation Council has been created to serve as the single window platform for multi-domain cooporation in agriculture ,defence production, information technology, energy and mining. He urged the Azerbaijani companies to explore new avenues for investment in Pakistan. Mr. Gilani observed that both the countries have support at each other at international fora.
He also acknowledged the efforts of Azerbaijan to make excellent arrangement for organising APA plenary in Baku.
In another meeting with the Sahiba Gafarova,Speaker of Mili Majlis of Azerbaijan, the Chairman Senate said that historical and cultural similarities are deepoted and the bond of friendship between Baku and Islamabad is getting stronger with each passing day. He said that Multani Caravan Siraiy in Baku is a living testimony to our centuries' old connection. Mr Gilani expressed satisfaction on the institutional collaboration and said that both sides have supported each other at different international fora. He ,however , called for more parliamentary and other high level exchanges. High level contacts between the two reflect common desire to strength and diversify relationship to its potential, he observed . Mr. Gilani said that Parliamentary friendship groups exist to further boost cooperation in diverse sectors.
Mr Gilani observed that trade and economic relations need to be further diversified. Institutional mechanism, he said , exist and have regular interaction. He also inform the speaker about SIFC called for more investment .
Mr. Gilani remarked that operationalization of direct flights would help open up more vistas of cooperation for strengthening bilateral ties .
The Speaker of Azerbaijan Mili Majlis thanked the Chairman Senate and his delegation for the visit and active participation in 15th plenary of Asian Parliamentary Assembly.