Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani Friday said Pakistan is keen to further strengthen its close brotherly relations with Azerbaijan, based on historical, cultural and religious common realities. The Prime Minister noted that Pakistan was one of the first few countries to recognize Azerbaijan, on its independence, and has been steadfastly supporting Azerbaijan on Nagorno-Karabakh issue on return of other Azeri territories illegally occupied by Armenia, Pakistan's official APP news agency reported.
He also appreciated Azerbaijan's continuous support to the cause of Kashmir and for the crucial role it has played in OIC's Contact Group on Kashmir in advocating resolution of this dispute as on the basis of UN Security Council's resolutions.
The Prime Minister was talking to Dr Eynulla Madatli, the outgoing Ambassador of Azerbaijan who paid a farewell call on him at the Prime Minister's Secretariat.
The Prime Minister congratulated the Azeri Ambassador on successful completion of his mission in Islamabad during which people to people and high level contacts between the two countries saw a marked increase and resultantly the bilateral cooperation expanded in trade,economic,defence and cultural fields.
He hoped that summit level visits between the two sides would be planned and exchanged in the near future to provide new impetus for enhanced cooperation.
He also appreciated Ambassador of Azerbaijan's contributions in construction of Azeri Embassy Complex and a Girls High School in Earthquake affected area of AJK.
The Prime Minister expressed the hope that the next round of Joint Ministerial Commission will be held in Baku later this year to finalize possible joint ventures between the two sides in oil and gas, energy, agriculture, construction machinery, light industries and defence production sectors.
The Prime Minister wished the Ambassador the very best on his next assignment and hoped that he will continue to play a role for promoting Pakistan-Azerbaijan ties in his future career as well.
Ambassador Dr Eynullah Madatli conveyed the best wishes and regards of his President to the Prime Minister and his own profound gratitude for the support and assistance given to him by the Government of Pakistan during his eight years tenure of duty as Ambassador of his country.
He termed Pakistan as his second home and expressed his satisfaction on the progress in overall bilateral ties during his tenure.
He hoped that the Government of Pakistan will also provide the same assistance and cooperation to his successor. He assured the Prime Minister of his government's continued support to the joint efforts for fostering ever closer ties to expand cooperation in trade, investment, joint venture and defence fields.
He said, in his personal capacities he would keep playing every possible role in whatever future capacity to bring Pakistan-Azerbaijan relations.