Pakistan, Azerbaijan agree to enhance and diversify bilateral trade to its optimal potential.

ISLAMABAD -- Pakistan and Azerbaijan have agreed to enhance and diversify bilateral trade to its optimal potential and expand cooperation in the fields of energy, agriculture, science and technology, railways and education.

The Second Round of Pakistan-Azerbaijan Bilateral Political Consultations (BPC) was held in a virtual mode on Friday. The Pakistan side was led by Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood; Deputy Foreign Minister Ramiz Hasanov headed the Azerbaijan delegation.

The two sides reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral relations, including cooperation in the political, trade and economic, energy, defence, education and culture arenas. Guided by the vision and direction of the respective leaders, Prime Minister Imran Khan and President Ilham Aliyev, there is strong mutual desire to further expand the economic and trade ties, deepen cultural cooperation, and strengthen connectivity between the two brotherly countries.

Agreeing that bilateral political relations are of exemplary quality, the two sides affirmed the resolve to take the overall relationship to a new level.

Reiterating Pakistan's principled support on the issue of Nagorno-Karabakh, the Foreign Secretary extended felicitations on the historic success in liberation of Azerbaijan's occupied territories. Deputy Foreign Minister Hasanov thanked for Pakistan's support, which won profound admiration by the government and people of Azerbaijan.

Discussing the existing state of play in the economic cooperation, the two sides agreed to enhance and diversify bilateral trade to its optimal potential and expand cooperation in the fields of energy, agriculture, science and technology, railways and education. It was emphasized to take tangible steps to improve mobility of businessmen, students and tourists, including through early commencement of direct flights between the two countries.

Both sides expressed satisfaction on mutual...