ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday called for stronger trilateral cooperation between Pakistan, Türkiye and Azerbaijan, stressing the need to expand trade, connectivity and economic integration across the region.
Speaking at a meeting with Turkish Grand National Assembly Speaker Dr Numan Kurtulmus and Azerbaijan’s Milli Majlis Chairperson Sahiba Gafarova at Aiwan-e-Sadr, the president said Pakistan attached great importance to its ties with both countries, which were rooted in shared faith, trust and a common vision for regional stability and progress.
National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq also attended the meeting, according to a statement issued by the Presidency.
President Zardari congratulated the visiting dignitaries on the successful conclusion of the Third Trilateral Speakers’ Conference in Islamabad, describing it as a sign of deepening parliamentary and diplomatic cooperation among the three nations.
He said Pakistan sought to enhance trade and investment partnerships under the trilateral framework, noting that improved regional connectivity could serve as a key driver for prosperity. He highlighted the potential of the Istanbul–Tehran–Islamabad (ITI) Railway Corridor and the International North–South Transport Corridor (INSTC) in boosting economic linkages.
The president welcomed Türkiye’s participation in Pakistan’s Special Economic Zones and announced that one of the upcoming industrial areas would be named the President Recep Tayyip Erdogan Special Industrial Zone, symbolising the enduring friendship between the two countries.
He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to advancing strategic cooperation with Azerbaijan, saying relations between the two countries were marked by mutual respect and shared aspirations for peace and development.
Azerbaijani Speaker Sahiba Gafarova extended greetings from her country’s leadership and invited Pakistani lawmakers to visit Baku to explore new areas of collaboration, particularly on climate change.
