Islamabad: Chairman Senate Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani has said that Pakistan places its bilateral relations with Azerbaijan in high esteem and is keen to further expand mutually beneficial cooperation in diverse sectors.
He expressed these views during a meeting with Ms. Sahiba Gafarova, Speaker of the Milli Majlis (Parliament) of the Republic of Azerbaijan, held in Islamabad. The two dignitaries held detailed discussions on parliamentary cooperation, trade, investment, and regional connectivity.
Chairman Senate Gilani stated that Pakistan attaches great importance to its fraternal relations with Azerbaijan, which are based on mutual trust, respect, and shared commitment to development. He added that both countries have established exemplary relations that serve as a model for others, and frequent high-level exchanges reflect their mutual desire to strengthen these ties.
He expressed hope that the upcoming visit of President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan will further cement the foundation of brotherly relations between the two nations. He also noted with satisfaction that institutional linkages and parliamentary interactions between both countries are being held on a regular basis.
Highlighting growing parliamentary cooperation, Chairman Senate recalled his visit to Baku in February 2025, where he participated in the Asian Parliamentary Assembly (APA) meeting. He underscored that enhanced interaction between the parliamentary friendship groups of both nations is fostering stronger people-to-people connections.
Chairman Senate Gilani also apprised the Speaker of Azerbaijan about the upcoming Inter-Parliamentary Speakers' Conference, scheduled to be held in Islamabad in November, and formally invited her to attend. The Speaker of Azerbaijan thanked the Chairman Senate and emphasized the importance of continuous engagement to enhance bilateral cooperation.
Discussing economic ties, the Chairman Senate said that Pakistan views Azerbaijan as an important investment partner. While appreciating the growth in bilateral trade, he noted that there remains significant potential for further expansion, particularly in energy, tourism, and infrastructure sectors.
On the subject of regional connectivity, he emphasized that Pakistan accords high priority to promoting peace and prosperity in the region and can serve as a natural bridge between Central and South Asia for the development of trade corridors.
In his concluding remarks, Chairman Senate Yousaf Raza Gilani expressed confidence that Pakistan-Azerbaijan relations will continue to strengthen over time, and extended an invitation to the leadership of Azerbaijan to visit Pakistan, saying that Pakistan looks forward to warmly welcoming President Ilham Aliyev.