ISLAMABAD: Speaker National Assembly Asad Qaiser has said that Pakistan values its close brotherly relations with Azerbaijan which were based on historic, cultural and religious commonalities.

He said Pakistan intends to further cement those relations through parliamentary and economic cooperation. He was talking to the Ambassador of Azerbaijan Mr Ali Fikrat Oglu Alizada, who called on the Speaker here in Parliament House, on Thursday.

The Speaker said the support, both the countries extend to each other on different issues and forums was a manifestation of strong ties between Pakistan and Azerbaijan.

He said both the countries have commonalities of views and perceptions on various regional and international issues. He appreciated Azerbaijani support to Pakistan on the principled stand of Kashmir.

He asked the Ambassador to facilitate Azerbaijani business community to visit Pakistan for exploring further avenues of cooperation in diverse fields.

He stressed the need for enhancing cooperation between the legislatures of brotherly countries. He said parliamentarians could play a vital role in building bridges of friendship and cooperation between Pakistan and Azerbaijan.

He informed the Ambassador about the reactivation of Pakistan-Azerbaijan Parliamentary Friendship Group in National Assembly. He also asked Ambassador to convey his invitation to his Azerbaijani counterpart to visit Pakistan.

The Ambassador Mr Ali Fikrat Oglu Alizada agreed with the Speaker and said that government and people of Azerbaijan greatly value their friendship with Pakistan. He said that his government was thankful to Pakistan for its unwavering support on the issue of Nagorno Karabakh.

He said Azerbaijan and Pakistan share same views on various matter including Kashmir issue and would continue extending its support on regional and internal foras.

He agreed for enhancing parliamentary and economic ties with Pakistan. He said political leadership of Azerbaijan was committed to strengthen its ties with Pakistan.