RUNNING HEAD: What do I know about Azerbaijan?

Azerbaijan-Pakistan: More Than Strategic Partners

[Abdul Haseeb]

[Embassy of Azerbaijan]
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Introduction

Azerbaijan is one of the rare countries that have been helping Pakistan in the crucial time.

It has been evident from the recent offer of $100 million line of credit to Pakistan from

Azerbaijan is clear evident of the strong relation between both countries. The visit of chairman of

senate, Muhammad Sadiq Sanjran to Azerbaijan on its 100th further strengthen the relation. The

relationship is not limited to the economic or political support but being its most part located in

the Asia, Azerbaijan is considered as the half-brother of Pakistan. Along with sharing border with

Iran, the countries also share the same ethnicity and drastic similarities in culture, traditions,

foods and art. Therefore, it can be said that both the countries are more than strategic partners are

as they are related through many different aspects. The essay is presented to highlight such

aspects that will define this relationship in disciplined manner. The study initiates with the brief

introduction about the topic and notifies the main points on which the study will be carried out.

Then it proceeds to the relationship strength between both countries along with the economic

collaboration in which relationship trust and economic relations are defined. Furthermore,

military collaboration is included to highlight the cooperation between the forces of both

countries. Lastly, the work is summarized in conclusion to point the essence of the presented

study.

Discussion

Azerbaijan, the first ever-democratic republic in Muslim oriented world gained

independence in the year 1918. Azerbaijan has strategic location that is consisted of crossroads,

delineated and gateways between Asian and European continent. () has studied the economic and

political system of Azerbaijan deeply and says that initially Azerbaijan faced period of disturbed

economic and political system before the years 1993 when President H.E. Heyder Aliyev came
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into power who balanced Azerbaijan’s policy and brought stability in the state for years. Either

its economic or humanitarian development, Pakistan has fortified Azerbaijan on every ground. ()

says that the relation between both of the stats has been tested on various occasions like Khojaly

Massacre, Kashmir issue or Karabakh conflict. Furthermore, the awareness in the trade and

defense domains has improved the partnership between the nations.

Relationship Strength

() claims that the diplomatic relations between both countries has long and unique history

as the commonalities have shaped this relationship in exceptional way. The nations share the

valuable relation on different aspects based on humanitarian, political and economic levels. Both

countries promote peace on every level either it is regional or world peace through their strategic

partnership. According to (), the diplomatic relation was initiated in the year on 9th of June 1992

and in the next year on 12th of March 1993 Pakistan opened its embassy in Azerbaijan. () says

that it took some time to make the relations strong and finally three years on 24th of August 1997,

Azerbaijan opened its embassy in Pakistan.

According to (), the main interest of Pakistan and Azerbaijan are strengthening the

military and the economic conditions along with the human rights protection. () emphasizes that

the relation between Azerbaijan and Pakistan is not only based on the strategic partnership but

also contribute on the cultural and humanitarian level. It has been observed that the people in

Azerbaijan has helped their Pakistani brothers on multiple occasions. () suggests that the better

relations of both the states with Turkey is also contributing in the firmness of this relation. From

long time, Turkey has remained active part of Muslim world and has always tries to bring the

Muslim states nearer so that the strength of the Muslim community can be increased. () adds that

“Triangular Countries Exhibition” that took place on 11th of April 2019 that was based on the
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B2B (Business-to-Business) relationship of the three countries contributed positively in pointing

out the problems in business relation of both countries. In this conference, new ways of business

among the countries were discussed. It was the first time when these countries sit and discussed

the business in such an effective way.

In addition, both countries are also supporting each other on the different international

forums like United Nations (UN). Both countries has ability of collaboration in different sectors

like military. Azerbaijan and Pakistan are also the members in various organizations mainly

Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) and Economic Co-operation Organization (ECO). The

political leaders has been paying mutual visits for last few decades. () while encouraging the

relations between the countries says the respect of Pakistan in the eyes of Azerbaijan was

increased further when in 2014, “Sitara-e- Imtiaz” was presented to the first lady “Mehriban

Aliyeva” of Azerbaijan by Pakistan’s Former President H.E. Mamnoon Hussain for her

services different parts of Pakistan and Kashmir through her foundation “Heyder Aliyev

Foundation”.

Economic Collaboration

Industrial development is the backbone of economic development in modern times

therefore Pakistan and Azerbaijan are focusing on the industrial and military sectors. () argues

that both nations need to focus on their strengths and weaknesses related to different sectors of

oil, petroleum, agriculture and industry. The main exports of the Azerbaijan are oil and the

industrial products. The oil exports of Azerbaijan has reached to

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