OFFICIAL NEWS
MEETING OF PRESIDENTS OF AZERBAIJAN AND PAKISTAN IN ENLARGED STAFF
President of Azerbaijan greeted the guests once again, thanked for acceptance of invitation to visit the Republic of Azerbaijan.
The bilateral relations between our countries have a sufficient speed, President Ilham Aliyev underlined. It pleases us. In 1996, national leader of Azerbaijan people Heydar Aliyev have visited Pakistan. After that visit the links between the two countries have gained quick development. Pakistan and Azerbaijan always support each other in the international arena and successfully cooperate. President thanked for the support Pakistan renders to Azerbaijan Republic. Today, they are successfully developing both in political and economic-cultural fields. I am especially grateful for support in the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorny Karabakh conflict.
In the economic field, we have nice prospects and we have already discussed this. The intergovernmental commission work fruitfully and I am hopeful that they will receive boost after this visit.
Of course, we have strong cooperation in the humanitarian sphere. Our peoples have mutual respect and considerations. I am convinced that after this visit, the friendly relations will further deepen and strengthen, the President said.
Once again I welcome you. I would like to express my confidence that after this visit the relations between our countries will develop in all fields.
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In the enlarged meeting, in his reciprocal speech, expressing his gratitude to the head of Azerbaijan state, President of Pakistan Pervez Musharraf said the two countries have the same position related to many problems. WE are pleased with your hospitality and warm reception.
In the private meeting with President Ilham Aliyev we have arrived in common conclusion. We have common interests in political, economic and others fields.
Basing on the common roots, I consider we must increase the trade relations as well.
In the field of defense we have also similar and common interests and we should expand cooperation in this field. There is a great potential in the oil-gas sector. We shall benefit from experience of Azerbaijani oilmen. Cooperation in education and data exchange is another direction of our mutual action and I think we shall strengthen co-op and in this field, President Pervez Musharraf underlined.
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Then were signing the bilateral documents. Prior to signing ceremony, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of Pakistan Pervez Musharraf signed joint Declaration. The signed documents included agreement on cooperation on tourism, customs and mutual assistance, combat against illegal circulation of narcotics and psychotropic substances, cooperation in combat against international terrorism and organized crime.
In the singing ceremony presenting were deputy prime minister of Azerbaijan Yagub Eyyubov, Pakistani ambassador in Baku Mohammad Hafiz, ambassador of Azerbaijan in Islamabad Eynulla Madatli.
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As was stated, the enlarged meeting was followed by a joint news conference. President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of Pakistan Pervez Musharraf exchanged statements. Then, President Ilham Aliyev hosted a banquet in honor of President of Pakistan Pervez Musharraf.