ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Navy Chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf on Thursday said Pakistan and Azerbaijan should strengthen naval cooperation through joint training programs, operational exercises and personnel exchanges.
Ashraf is on an official visit to Baku, which comes as both countries seek to expand defense collaboration in the maritime domain amid growing regional security challenges and shared strategic interests. Pakistan and Azerbaijan have long-standing ties, and military-to-military cooperation has increasingly become a pillar of the bilateral relationship.
At the Naval Forces Headquarters, Admiral Ashraf met with Commander of the Azerbaijan Naval Forces, First Grade Captain Shahin Mammadov.
The two officials “exchanged views on bilateral naval collaboration and regional maritime security,” the Directorate General Public Relations (Navy) said in the statement.
Admiral Ashraf “underscored the importance of enhancing the interaction between naval forces through exercises and training exchange programs.”
The naval chief was given a detailed briefing on the Azerbaijan Navy’s operational readiness, education and training initiatives, and visited the Special Operations Forces unit, where he witnessed a live demonstration of operational capabilities.
Later, Admiral Ashraf held talks with Chief of the General Staff of the Azerbaijan Army, Col. General Karim Valiyev, to discuss “matters of mutual interests and enhancing bilateral defense cooperations.”
As part of the official itinerary, the Naval Chief also laid a wreath at the Alley of Martyrs in Baku in tribute to fallen Azerbaijani soldiers.
“Pakistan and Azerbaija historically enjoy brotherly relations and the visit of Chief of the Naval Staff will further augment and expand defense ties between Pakistan and Azerbaijan in general and navies in particular,” the Navy’s statement concluded.
