Azernews.Az

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan is seeking to strengthen bilateral cooperation with Azerbaijan, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani was quoted as saying.

Gilani told the farewell meeting with Azerbaijani ambassador Eynulla Madatli that his country is aspiring to further strengthen relations with Azerbaijan on the basis of historical, cultural and religious ties, Pakistan`s APP news agency reported.

Recalling the fact that Pakistan was one of the first countries to recognize independence of Azerbaijan back in 1992, he added that his country has been always supporting Azerbaijan`s stance in the Upper (Nagorno)-Garabagh conflict.

Gilani hailed Azerbaijan`s backing Pakistan in Kashmir issue and thanked the country for the decisive role it played in the OIC Contact Group on Kashmir, towards the settlement of the long standing dispute on the basis of UN Security Council resolutions.

Pakistani PM expressed his hope that the next round of the joint ministerial commission to be held in Baku later this year would allow establishing joint companies in the oil and gas industry, as well as agriculture, construction equipment and military fields.

For his part, the outgoing Azeri ambassador assured Gilani that the Azerbaijan’s government will support joint efforts aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two countries in trade, investments, etc.