Azerbaijan, Pakistan sign military cooperation plan

4 November 2016 15:03 (UTC+04:00)

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By Rashid Shirinov

Azerbaijan and Pakistan, the two strategic partners, signed a plan of bilateral military cooperation.

The document was signed between Azerbaijan’s Defense Ministry and Pakistan’s Joint Staff Headquarters within the 7th meeting of the Azerbaijan-Pakistan Working Group in Islamabad on November 3.

The meeting saw discussions on the current state and prospects of the bilateral military cooperation between the two countries. Meetings of the Working Group, which brings together senior officers of Azerbaijan and Pakistan, are held annually.

The Azerbaijan-Pakistan “all-weather friendship" covers various facets of the economic and political ties. Pakistan is one of the oldest and closest allies and strategic partners of Azerbaijan in Asia.

During the recent visit of Pakistani PM Muhammad Nawaz Sharif to Baku, the two countries voiced commitment to further boost the bilateral cooperation.

Both sides agreed to continue cooperation in carrying out joint military exercises and also discussed detailed cooperation in defense sector and joint military production. The Azerbaijani side voiced interest in purchase of the most modern and high-tech weapons from Pakistan.

Pakistan became the second country after Turkey which recognized the independence of Azerbaijan in 1991. The diplomatic relations between two countries were established on June 9, 1992.

Islamabad backed Azerbaijan during and after the Nagorno-Karabakh War and it is the only country that does not recognize Armenia. Pakistan also adopted a resolution strongly condemning the genocide against the civilian population of Khojaly, which was committed by Armenian armed forces.

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Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov