Pakistan`s Centreline magazine publishes article of Baku International Humanitarian Forum
Baku, November 4 (AZERTAC). Editor-in-chief of the popular Pakistani “Centreline” magazine Ansar Bhatti has published an article on Baku International Humanitarian Forum.
The Baku International Humanitarian Forum held on October 10-11, 2011 was an historic event in which hundreds of foreign delegates took part. The biggest contingent came from neighboring Russia followed by Turkish delegation. Pakistan`s delegation that comprised over 15 people was the third largest group, which speaks volumes for the close and brotherly relations between Pakistan and Azerbaijan. Though number of Pakistanis living in Azerbaijan is very small - maybe slightly over 200 - nevertheless both sides have an understanding and wish to promote trade and economic ties in order to further cement this relationship. Before looking into various aspects of Pakistan-Azerbaijan relations it is necessary to highlight significance of the Baku Forum.
Why was Baku chosen as a site for this event? We asked one of the officials of the Azerbaijani Ministry of Culture and Tourism Firudin Gurbanov to answer this question: “It is well-known that Azerbaijan is situated at the junction of the West and the East. People of different nationalities live here and different cultures develop here, successfully complementing each other. This is why Azerbaijan has become the site of various international forums. The first one took place in 2009 and gathered ministers of culture of 49 European countries and some Muslim countries in Baku. The participants discussed the role of culture in opposing aggression, violence and terrorism. The current forum was a continuation of that discussion and also touched upon a wider range of issues.”
Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev in his inaugural speech while highlighting significance of the Baku Forum said, his country will continue to play a leading role at the world. He added, Azerbaijan was a peaceful country and wanted to play its role for the peace. The President thanked all participants of the event for gracing the occasion with their presence. He particularly thanked former presidents of Slovenia, Romania, Turkey, Bulgaria and Estonia who had come all the way to Azerbaijan to attend the Forum.
Azerbaijan is perhaps one of the fastest developing capitals of the world. The Azeri government wants to make maximum use of oil and gas reserves with a view to improving the lot of the people of Azerbaijan. It is of course a long and arduous process but since the will is there therefore one can hope the government will be able to serve people to their satisfaction.
As regards cooperation between the two countries, Ambassador of Azerbaijan in Pakistan Mr. Dashgin Shikarov and Pakistan’s ambassador in Azerbaijan Mr. Inayat Ullah Kakar have already taken steps to improve economic relations between the two countries. When we met Mr. Inayat Ullah Kakar in his office in Baku, he told that his mission was mulling over various steps so as to promote trade between the two sides. He also hinted at initiation of direct flights between Azerbaijan and Pakistan. Likewise Azerbaijan ambassador in Pakistan too has a similar wish and in fact he has already taken up this matter with the Pakistani authorities.
“If politics is a body and economy is a blood of relations between the countries, then people to people, cultural contacts are the soul of them. So we have to do a lot to develop the spiritual level of our brotherly relations by further enhancing of cultural links between the two nations. Exchange of cultural groups, days of culture, demonstration of movies and dramas in respective countries - these are things being done at present”, said Ambassador Shikarov during an interview with Centreline.
Summing up, there is a wide scope for especially Pakistani businessmen to go to Azerbaijan and explore different fields for investment. Azerbaijan government and general public have great respect for Pakistan and its people. They genuinely want to engage with Pakistan now it is up to our side to reciprocate in the same manner so as to give new dimensions to this relationship.
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