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Aliyev calls on Leghari

Pak-Azeri

economic

cooperation

discussed

ISLAMABAD: Azerbaijan and Pakistan have very old, historical and cultural relationship which can be further expanded and strengthened by enhancing economic and trade cooperation between the two countries.

This was stated by President Farooq Leghari while talking to President Haider Aliraza Oglu Aliyev of Azerbaijan who called on him at the Aiwan-e-Sadr here today along with members of his delegation.

The President said that Pakistan was busy in developing the Gawadar Port which would provide the shortest and easiest route to Azerbaijan and other Central Asian States to reach the warm waters.

He said God had blessed the whole region with vast and rich resources for various megadevelopment projects like gas and oil pipelines which would benefit all countries of the region including India, Iran and the Russian Republic.

Leghari recalled that several agreements and protocols were signed between the two countries during his visit to Azerbaijan last October and said that more would be signed during President Aliyev's visit to Pakistan now.

"We hope the foreign and Pakistan private sectors to play major role in our economic progress and prosperity and were looking forward to increase cooperation in trade and joint-ventures between the two countries", he said.

The President emphasised the need to focus more on peace, stability and development in our own region and for the economic and social progress of our peoples. He said that both our countries want peace with our neighbours and hoped that after a peaceful solution of Kashmir issue, return of peace in Afghanistan and an end to Armenian aggression against Azerbaijan, this whole region will become hub of economic activities and development.

President Haider Aliyev reciprocated President Farooq Leghari's desire to further increase economic and trade cooperation between Pakistan and Azerbaijan and hoped that his present visit to Pakistan would help in further strengthening the cordial relationship between the two countries.

He expressed his concern for the Kashmir dispute and assured that Azerbaijan shall always continue to support Pakistan's position on Kashmir at the OIC and all other international fora. He also expressed his gratitude for Pakistan's condemnation of the Armenian aggression against Azerbaijan.

The meeting was also attended by the concerned ministers, senior officials and diplomats of the two countries.-APP