Azerbaijan, Pakistan discuss joint defense industrial production - Aliyev

BAKU. Feb 25 (Interfax) - Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has said that he discussed defense cooperation, including the defense industry and exports, with Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

"Azerbaijan already purchased the equipment for its defense industry from Pakistan, we are very content with its quality and will certainly continue that. At the same time, we have also discussed possibilities of joint defense industrial protection, which will become yet another important sector of our cooperation," Aliyev told journalists after his talks with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Baku on Monday.

Pakistan has a very developed defense industry, he said. Azerbaijan also is developing its own potential, he said. "We already export our defense products to more than 30 countries. And with joint production, I think the geography of our shipments - our exports - will definitely expand," Aliyev said.

The two sides also discussed cooperation on interconnectedness and transport, he said. "I informed the prime minister about our plans to raise the capacity of Azerbaijan's transport infrastructure which is an integral part of international transport corridors. Whether it's the North-South or the South-West, Azerbaijan participates in both," Aliyev said.

For his part, Sharif invited Aliyev to visit Pakistan in April for the signing of agreements worth $2 billion.

Pakistan and Azerbaijan actively cooperate in the oil and gas sphere, he said.

"In addition, we have the potential for setting up joint defense production. In April, when a delegation from Azerbaijan visits Pakistan, it will be the main sphere on our cooperation agenda. We will be ready for serious negotiations on this matter," Sharif said.

Islamabad is also keen on transport cooperation with Baku, he said.