The 8th Session of the Pakistan-Azerbaijan Joint Commission concluded with commitments to enhancing bilateral ties across a wide range of sectors.
Co-chaired by Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, and Azerbaijan’s Minister for Defense Industry Vugar Valeh oglu Mustafayev, the session featured productive discussions on strengthening cooperation in trade, defense, energy, information technology, agriculture, transport, health, education, and more.
In his remarks, Asif said it was a great honor to welcome Mustafayev, and other distinguished delegates of Azerbaijan. Both nations, he said, shared a historic and enduring bond, grounded in mutual respect, cultural ties, and solidarity on key global issues. Cooperation across various sectors had deepened through high-level exchanges, including visits by President Ilham Aliyev and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, he added.
The joint commission’s discussions had yielded important agreements that would further enhance bilateral relations in areas such as agriculture, health, I.T., defense, and tourism, he said. He also noed that the establishment of new Joint Working Groups would drive economic growth, private sector collaboration, and cultural exchange between both countries. He further thanked Azerbaijan for its commitment to strengthening this partnership
Azerbaijan’s Mustafayev said it was an honor for him to join the 8th Session of the Joint Commission. He said the enduring friendship between Azerbaijan and Pakistan had always been anchored in mutual respect, shared values, and unwavering support for one another, particularly in matters of sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Stressing that the committee’s discussions reflected both countries’ commitment to further strengthening their partnership across key sectors such as defense, trade, energy, education, and agriculture. The agreements reached will enhance our bilateral cooperation, he said, adding the creation of new Joint Working Groups marked a significant step toward deeper collaboration. “Azerbaijan remains firmly dedicated to advancing this strategic relationship, confident that together, we will open new opportunities for mutual growth and regional stability,” he said.
Earlier, in his opening statement, Economic Affairs Federal Secretary Kazim Niazsaid it was an honor to host the Joint Commission under the auspices of the Ministry of Economic Affairs. As the host ministry, he said, it was particularly focused on facilitating mutually beneficial initiatives that enhance trade, investment, and economic cooperation.
“Our commitment to strengthening bilateral relations is unwavering, and we are keen to explore new opportunities in sectors such as energy, agriculture, and infrastructure,” he said, stressing the Joint Commission was not just a platform for dialogue, but a testament to a shared vision of economic growth and prosperity for both Pakistan and Azerbaijan. “The outcomes of today’s discussions are a clear reflection of our collective determination to expand our cooperation for the benefit of our people,” he added.
Agreements
In terms of trade and economic cooperation, both sides agreed to implement the Azerbaijan-Pakistan Preferential Trade Agreement signed in July 2024, as well as explore joint ventures and investments between businesses from both countries. The two governments also committed to facilitating cooperation between their customs authorities and expediting the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on establishing an Advance Electronic Data Interchange between the State Customs Committee of Azerbaijan and Pakistan Customs Service.
On defense industry cooperation, both parties agreed to expedite the signing of a MoU on defense industry collaboration and enhance joint production and sale of defense hardware. In the energy sector, discussions were held to advance the Strategic Underground Gas Storage project in Pakistan, with Azerbaijan invited to participate in energy infrastructure projects, including the White Oil Pipeline.
Agriculture and food security were also key focus areas, with the two sides agreeing to enhance cooperation through joint research in areas like cotton, grain cultivation, and seed development. Both countries committed to facilitating business-to-business exchanges to enhance agro-commodity trade. In health cooperation, the parties agreed to share expertise in advanced diagnostics, public health emergencies, and medical tourism, while also exploring avenues for collaboration on health-related research and capacity building.
Looking ahead, the two sides confirmed that the 9th Session of the Joint Commission will be held in Baku, Azerbaijan, in 2027. Both Pakistan and Azerbaijan remain committed to deepening their bilateral ties for the mutual benefit of their peoples and for fostering continued development and prosperity in the years to come.