Interview of Ambassador Khazar Farhadov with "National Herald Tribune" newspaper and "Gulf Observer" news agency

1. 2023 was declared the “Year of Heydar Aliyev” in Azerbaijan. What would you tell about Heydar Aliyev?

Heydar Aliyev, the National Leader of the Azerbaijani people was born on May 10, 1923. This year - 2023 marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of our great leader. There are great personalities in history who ensured the national independence and freedom of their countries. Heydar Aliyev is such a leader who dedicated his life to Azerbaijan and worked hard for the independence of his country. He is the founder of modern Azerbaijan. The Republic of Azerbaijan restored its independence on October 18, 1991, but in the years 1991-1993 our country was passing through a very difficult period. Azerbaijan was on the verge of civil war and loss of independence and there was economic and political instability in the country. At the request of the Azerbaijani people, Heydar Aliyev came to power in 1993. On 15 June 1993, Heydar Aliyev was elected as chairman of the Supreme Council of Azerbaijan, and on 24 June took the office of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. He was elected as President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in a nationwide voting held on October 3, 1993. Heydar Aliyev was re-elected as President of the Republic of Azerbaijan on October 11, 1998. When Heydar Aliyev came to power, he eliminated chaos and anarchy, economic and political difficulties in the country. The Contract of the Century, the Baku-Tbilisi-Jeyhan, and other internationally important projects was realized under the leadership of the National Leader Heydar Aliyev played a very crucial role in the history of Azerbaijan. Thanks to his wise policy, Azerbaijan became one of the most important countries in the international arena and the independence of Azerbaijan became eternal and unshakeable.

2. Would you tell us about Heydar Aliyev’s role in Azerbaijan-Pakistan relations?

Heydar Aliyev is the architect of Azerbaijan-Pakistan relations. He attached great importance to Pakistan. Heydar Aliyev paid an official visit to Pakistan on 9-11 April 1996. During the visit, several documents were signed between Azerbaijan and Pakistan. That visit played a very important role in the development of relations between the two countries. He said about 2 countries: “Pakistan and Azerbaijan have very good and friendly relations. These relations are based on our ancient historical traditions. It is no coincidence that Pakistan is one of the first states to recognize the independence of our country after Azerbaijan declared its independence.”

3. Please share your views on Azerbaijan-Pakistan relations.

Azerbaijan-Pakistan relations are based on deep historical and cultural roots. The 14th-century Multani Caravanserai in Baku, Azerbaijan is a clear manifestation of our historical relations. Brotherly relations between the two countries are deepening, developing, and strengthening every year. The exchange of high-level bilateral visits and meetings within the framework of international events has made a special contribution to the development of relations between Azerbaijan and Pakistan.  Both countries have always supported each other bilaterally and internationally. Due to the policy of aggression carried out against Azerbaijan by Armenia, Pakistan not only did not establish diplomatic relations with Armenia but also did not even recognize this country as a state. Pakistan demonstrated its political and moral support to Azerbaijan during the former Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and the Patriotic War which resulted in the liberation of Azerbaijani territories from Armenian occupation. Under the instruction of H.E. Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan allocated 4 million USD in aid to brotherly Pakistan during the large-scale flood that occurred in 2022. This support by our country is also an example of our brotherhood.

4. Excellency, kindly inform our readers on Azerbaijan-Pakistan economic ties. And also share the current volume of bilateral trade.

There is a high potential for further expansion of economic cooperation between our countries, taking into account historically brotherly ties, as well as geographical positions and natural and human resources. The Azerbaijan-Pakistan Joint Intergovernmental Commission is a valuable platform for further strengthening bilateral economic relations. The working groups created within the mentioned Commission and between governmental organizations on trade, agriculture, energy, banking, tourism, transport, information and communication technologies, health, youth, labor, and other fields are the main tools that can mutually contribute to the increase of trade and investment. The Preferential Trade Agreement and Transit Trade Agreement to be signed between the relevant institutions of both countries are expected to make a special contribution to the expansion of our economic and trade relations. In 2022, the Government of Azerbaijan, taking into account the fraternal relations, exempted rice from the Islamic Republic of Pakistan with the same origin from import customs duty for a period of 5 years. This step will further increase the trade turnover between the two countries. In 2022, the trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Pakistan is about 30 million US dollars, which is almost 2.5 times higher than in 2021. More than 2000 companies from Pakistan were registered in Azerbaijan covering trade, industry, construction, services, agriculture, transport telecommunication, and other sectors. Direct flights from various cities in Pakistan to Baku were launched in 2022. These flights play a special role in the further development of trade and tourism relations between the two countries. I must mention that Pakistan is one of the countries that is included in the online ASAN visa system of Azerbaijan. The citizens of Pakistan can easily obtain a visa online and visit Azerbaijan. The number of tourists visiting Azerbaijan from Pakistan was approximately 50,000 in 2022. During these years, numerous events, visits, as well as business conferences have been held in order to strengthen the economic ties between the two countries. I am confident that Azerbaijan-Pakistan economic ties will further strengthen year by year.

5. Media cooperation is necessary for the creation of a corridor of knowledge, cultural cooperation, and the promotion of tourism. What are your opinions on it, please?

Media cooperation is very important in terms of the development of ties between countries. I am very glad that media representatives of Azerbaijan and Pakistan have close and direct contact. Media provides us a great opportunity to promote our country’s history, culture, economy, and tourism as well as the Azerbaijan-Pakistan relations. As an Embassy, we will spare no efforts to further strengthen media ties between the two brotherly countries. Taking this opportunity, I express my gratitude to the Pakistani media for delivering the just position of Azerbaijan to the international community during the former Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and the Patriotic War.

6. What would you tell about Heydar Aliyev Foundation’s role in Pakistan?

The Heydar Aliyev Foundation under the leadership of the H.E. Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva has been making a special contribution to further strengthening the fraternal relations between Azerbaijan and Pakistan by implementing many important charity projects in Pakistan. During these years, with the initiative and support of the Foundation, Rara High school for Girls in Muzaffarabad was built, free medical diagnosis and operations were provided, contributions to the building of medical facilities and water supply systems were done, charity events were organized, people with disabilities were provided with wheelchairs and etc. All these activities are aimed at serving humanity and strengthening the friendship between the two brotherly peoples. Such projects are an example of our commitment to further strengthen the historically strong fraternal ties between the two peoples. For her special contributions to the strengthening of relations between Azerbaijan and Pakistan, the President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation H.E. Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva was awarded the highest state award of Pakistan – “Hilal-e-Pakistan” order in 2015.

https://thegulfobserver.com/speaks-about-pakistan-azerbaijan-ties/