BAKU: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif arrived here on Thursday on a three-day official visit.

Upon arrival at Baku international airport, Mr Sharif was accorded a warm welcome by Azerbaijan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ali Akhmedov and other top government functionaries. Two children attired in the national dress presented bouquets to Prime Minister Sharif and Begum Kulsoom Nawaz.

The PM is paying his first visit to Azerbaijan on the invitation of President Ilham Aliyev. He is accompanied by a high-level delegation.

During his stay in Baku, Mr Sharif will hold talks with President Ilham Aliyev and Prime Minister Artur Rasizade.

Economic cooperation, including trade and investment, will be the focus of their talks.

They will also exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest, with particular attention to the situation in South Asia.

A joint declaration is likely to be signed during the visit. Pakistan and Azerbaijan enjoy close relations, which are underpinned by commonalities of history, culture and faith.

These ties are characterised by mutual respect, shared perceptions and common desire to promote peace, stability and development in the region.

The mutual support on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute and the Nagorno-Karabakh issue is a testimony to close understanding between Pakistan and Azerbaijan.

The two countries also share common views on major regional and international issues and cooperate closely in the regional and multilateral forums, including the United Nations, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the Economic Cooperation Organisation.

Published in Dawn, October 14th, 2016