Azerbaijan offers $100m credit to address Pakistan’s energy crisis

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ISLAMABAD: Ambassador of Azerbaijan Ali Alizada called on Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry here on Friday and said that his country was ready to offer $100 million credit to Pakistan to address its energy issues along with supplying of oil and oil products.

The ambassador also showed his keen interest to strengthen cooperation in the fields of media and information with particular emphasis on formal collaboration between state-run televisions of the two countries.

Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry, while welcoming the Ambassador’s offer and interest to resolve Pakistan’s energy issues, said that Pakistan would also like to enhance cooperation with Azerbaijan in the realm of tourism besides the fields of media and information.

“Pakistan has unique tourist destinations, especially in the northern areas. We will also want Azeri tourists to come and enjoy the scenic beauty of these high-altitude areas,” he added.

The minister said Pakistan attached great importance to its relations with Azerbaijan and Pakistan was one of the first three countries that recognised the independence of Azerbaijan. He said that Baku was highly popular with Pakistan and it was a matter of satisfaction that there existed tremendous goodwill between the two countries. He emphasised the need for the start of direct flights between Pakistan and Azerbaijan.

Fawad said, “We will welcome the exchange of media delegations of the two countries as it will provide an opportunity to know more about each other’s’ land, people and countries and learn by sharing experiences.”

The ambassador invited the minister to attend the Baku International Humanitarian Forum to be held in last week of October and said Azerbaijan considered Pakistan an important country.

He added President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev greatly valued his country’s ties with Pakistan, adding, “We also support Pakistan’s stance on Kashmir.”