BAKU, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- The leaders of Azerbaijan and Pakistan have agreed to reinforce the two countries' strategic partnership as President Ilham Aliyev and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held high-level talks in Baku, culminating in Azerbaijan's pledge to invest up to 2 billion U.S. dollars in Pakistan's economy.

Key areas of discussions included joint manufacturing of defense industry products, energy collaboration -- particularly in liquefied natural gas (LNG) -- and the establishment of chambers of commerce to facilitate trade, Azerbaijani President's Office said on Monday.

"With our investment plans, I'm sure we will witness an increase in our trade turnover," Aliyev said, adding that both sides have agreed to finalize discussions within a month, aiming to sign agreements in Islamabad during his upcoming visit in April. "These projects cover infrastructure development, energy, mining, and other areas."

Sharif welcomed the investment commitment, calling it a milestone in bilateral relations. "I am extremely grateful for your announcement that Azerbaijan intends to invest $2 billion in Pakistan that will bring dividends to both countries," he said, confirming that both teams are actively working to finalize agreements for formalization in April.

Azerbaijan and Pakistan have also taken significant steps in defense cooperation, focusing on the joint production of defense-related products. Aliyev expressed satisfaction with Pakistani defense industry equipment and outlined plans for deeper collaboration. "Azerbaijan already exports defense industry products to more than 30 countries. With joint production, our capabilities will expand, benefiting both our nations and partners," Aliyev said.

Sharif reinforced this commitment, saying that "we must establish joint defense production capacity, and this is an absolute priority for both sides."

Energy cooperation was another key focus, with SOCAR and its Pakistani counterpart extending their LNG framework agreement by another two years. "Our energy companies signed a number of documents today, and this will translate into tangible projects," Aliyev affirmed.

Furthermore, discussions covered connectivity enhancement through transportation corridors, including Azerbaijan's participation in the North-South and East-West routes. Sharif highlighted the Gwadar Port's strategic importance, calling it a "transformative development with a significant regional impact."

Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to expanding bilateral economic and strategic ties. "This brotherhood will endure as long as this world exists," Sharif said. Aliyev also emphasized the importance of these agreements, stating that the brotherly relationship between the two countries will "bring economic and business contacts to the level of political ties." Enditem

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