Official visit of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan (April 9-11, 1996)


The Islamic Republic of Pakistan is the second main strategic ally of Azerbaijan in the world after Turkey. Relations between two countries are very intensive within the framework of bilateral and multilateral. The parties share the same views in international organizations represented by them, as well as in the issue of Kashmir and the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over  Nagorno Karabakh and they also support their solution on the basis of international law norms.

On April, 1996, the Azerbaijani President Haydar Aliyev pain an official visit to Islamic Republic of Pakistan at the initiative of Farrukh Ahmed Khan Legari, President of Pakistan Islamic Republic. It played an irreplaceable role in the development of relations between the two countries.

Haydar Aliyev characterized the relations between the two countries as close and friendly. These relations are based on the ancient historical traditions. It is not accidental that Pakistan was one of the first countries which recognized the independence of Azerbaijan after announcing its independence. Subsequently, especially in recent years favorable relations have been established between Pakistani and Azerbaijan.

On the first day of visit the Azerbaijani and Pakistani presidents had their first meeting. Issues of mutual interest and perspectives of bilateral relations were discussed. Later, there was a reception on behalf of the Azerbaijani President hosted by the President of Pakistan.

On April 10, Haydar Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan met the prime minister of Pakistan. After the meeting there was a ceremony of the signature of documents between. Agreements on friendship and partnership, trade, tax, health, tourism were signed in the ceremony.

After the ceremony, a joint press conference of the Azerbaijani President and the Pakistani prime minister was held, it was mentioned there that nine agreements were signed between the two countries which would create favourable conditions for the further development of the Azerbaijani-Pakistani relations. 

On the same day Mrs.Benazir Bhutto held a reception in honor of the Azerbaijani President. Delivering a speech at the reception Haydar Aliyev said: “The negotiations show that the Pakistani-Azerbaijani relations have great future perspective. We can have achievements in the development of economic relations. For joint works I have invited the Pakistani representatives to Azerbaijan and I invite them just now, too. I can assure that we shall do our best for the development of this partnership.”

On April 11, Haydar Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan, gave an interview to the Pakistani television and expressed his satisfaction with results of the visit.

During his visit, Azerbaijani president was in Lahore and get acquainted with ancient architectural and religious monuments of the city. On the same day, before his departure from the country, the president answered the questions of Pakistani journalists.

Azerbaijani President Haydar Aliyev’s visit to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan has intensified bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Pakistan.