Azernews.Az

Nazrin Abdul

Read more

At a press conference alongside Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar in Islamabad, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov highlighted the prospects for enhanced cooperation in "clean" energy between Azerbaijan and Pakistan ahead of COP29, Azernews reports.

Bayramov expressed optimism about the forthcoming 8th meeting of the Azerbaijan-Pakistan joint intergovernmental commission, scheduled for later this year in Islamabad. He emphasized that this meeting would provide a significant boost to economic cooperation, inviting Pakistani business representatives to explore the opportunities presented by international transit corridors passing through Azerbaijan and the Baku International Sea Trade Port. He also mentioned the advantageous conditions and privileges offered by the Alat Free Economic Zone for Pakistani partners.

Moreover, Bayramov underscored the importance of the direct air connection between the two countries in fostering tourism and people-to-people exchanges. Currently, there are six weekly flights from Baku to Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi. He noted that last year, Azerbaijan welcomed 55,000 Pakistani tourists, with an expected number of 20,000 in the first four months of 2024.

Looking ahead to COP29, slated to be held in Azerbaijan in 2024, Bayramov emphasized that this event would offer additional opportunities for collaboration in "clean" energy and the transition to a "green" economy.

Addressing the importance of connectivity, Minister Bayramov underscored the pivotal role of the Middle Corridor in fostering mutual benefits for both nations. "The Middle Corridor offers a transit route approximately 2,000 kilometers shorter than other alternatives, particularly emphasizing land transport," he remarked.

Bayramov pointed out Azerbaijan's strategic focus on enhancing transit routes, citing a remarkable 65 percent increase in transit flow along the Middle Corridor in 2023. He further outlined ambitious plans for future enhancements.

Highlighting Azerbaijan's commitment to infrastructure development, Bayramov noted substantial investment decisions aimed at boosting the capacity of the Baku Sea Trade Port from 15 million tons to 25 million tons.

Moreover, Azerbaijan's significant investments in railway infrastructure, both domestically and in neighboring countries, align with the transit potential of the Middle Corridor. Minister Bayramov emphasized the synergistic opportunities arising from the transit aspect of the project, particularly amidst the growing economic ties between Pakistan, Central Asian nations, and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, a focal point of today's discussions.

The Middle Corridor serves as a pivotal transport and trade route linking Asia and Europe through multiple regional countries. Offering an alternative to traditional North and South corridors, it provides a vital land route connecting eastern Asian regions, including China, to Europe, offering shorter transit times compared to longer sea routes.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz