Pakistan Observer

Friday, 14 January 2011

LIAQAT TOOR

Islamabad—Pakistan and Azerbaijan are galvanised each other with historic and cultural links and efforts are being made to translate them into economic bonds. In an interaction with Pakistan Observer, Prof. Dr. Ali M. Abbasov, Minister for Communications and Information Technologies of the Republic of Azerbaijan said Pak-Azerbaijan Joint Governmental Commission is exploring ways and means to enhance trade and economic ties. Negotiations are also in progress for cooperation in the field of defence production, he said.

The Minister, who is visiting Pakistan to attend a meeting of COMTECH where he was elected Rapporteur General, said both countries have identical views on world affairs and they are cooperating with each other in international fora.

Baku is supporting Pakistan ’s stand on Kashmir issue while Islamabad supports Azerbaijan stand on Nagorno Karabakh issue, he said.

Ali M. Abbasov said Baku is stepping up efforts to play important roles in world affairs and the active participation of Azerbaijan in COMSTECH meeting under OIC is evidence to it. This forum can play key role in transforming societies in Islamic countries into knowledge-based societies.

When questioned on Azeri cooperation to Central Asian countries for supply of oil and gas to energy-starved Pakistan and other countries of South Asia, he said at present Baku is concentrating on its western side for supply of oil to European nations. But a stage can come when Baku will join mega projects with other Central Asian countries to supply oil and gas to eastern side.

Referring to social and economic progress of Azerbaijan , the Minister said, since 1993 National Leader of Azerbaijan, the late-President, Heydar Aliyev was elected as the President of Azerbaijan, the country has started to march on the path of progress with the help of its oil income.

At present, Azerbaijan has $22 billion oil fund, which is expected to increase in several fold in the next 2 decades depending on the oil prices. The oil revenue has helped to increase per capita income to $5000 in a country with population of nine million people. Referring to futuristic plans, the Minister said a long-term strategy has been evolved to shifting to technology-based development, as the oil reserves of the country will start depleting after 2025.

A three-pronged strategy has been devised to convert “black gold to human gold,” a statement announced by H.E. Ilham Aliyev, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, which includes creating a conducive atmosphere, training of manpower in IT and other technologies and import of high tech. Pakistan can help Baku in this regard, he said By the time when oil reserves will start depleting, his country will be able to generate much of its income from high-tech sector.

He said in the old days, people of his country and Pakistan were linked with each other through Silk Route . Caravans from both regions used this route extensively for trading purpose. A corner of Azeri culture has been established in Look Versa in Islamabad and Azeri students are studying in Pakistan . Pakistani student are also taking education in Azeri institutions. These bonds will be further strengthened, he added. 

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