Ambassadors-designate of the Kingdom of Norway, Republic of Azerbaijan and Switzerland, on Monday, presented their credentials to President Asif Ali Zardari at Aiwan-e-Sadr. The president felicitated the ambassadors on their appointments and wished them successful tenures in Pakistan.
He discussed opportunities to strengthen bilateral relations, with particular emphasis on economic cooperation, trade and investment, alongside areas of shared interest, President Secretariat Media Wing said in a press release.
In his meeting with Ambassador-designate of Norway Sigvald Hauge, the president reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening its longstanding friendly relations with Norway.
He expressed appreciation for Norway’s support during Pakistan’s devastating floods in 2022 and welcomed the bilateral MoU on climate cooperation signed in April 2026.
He highlighted opportunities for cooperation in renewable energy, maritime affairs, technology, trade and investment, and acknowledged the Pakistani diaspora’s contribution to relations between the two countries. Talking to Ambassador-designate of Azerbaijan Irfan Shakiroglu Davudov, the president reaffirmed the close and fraternal ties between Pakistan and Azerbaijan and stressed the need to translate strong political relations into greater trade and investment.
He highlighted the potential for cooperation in energy, regional connectivity and defence, welcomed progress in defence-industrial cooperation and noted the contribution of direct air links to tourism and people-to-people contacts.
During his meeting with Ambassador-designate of Switzerland Stephane Laurent Rey, the president appreciated Switzerland’s role in mediation and peace efforts, including its facilitation of technical talks between the United States and Iran at Burgenstock. He emphasised the importance of continued cooperation for regional peace and highlighted opportunities in trade, investment, pharmaceuticals, IT and cybersecurity, renewable energy, water management and tourism.
Senator Sherry Rehman, Senator Saleem Mandviwalla and Secretary Foreign Affairs Asim Iftikhar Ahmad were also present during the meetings.