BAKU, Feb 13: President Gen Pervez Musharraf is to visit Azerbaijan in the near future to discuss military and trade ties, a senior Azeri official said Friday.

Azerbaijan foreign relations chief Novruz Mamedov said: "The dates are being agreed by our diplomats." "During the visit we expect that the political dialogue between Azerbaijan and Islamabad will be continued and that our relations will reach a higher level," he told reporters.

Pakistan and Azerbaijan have already signed an agreement on military cooperation. Diplomats said President Musharraf would use his visit to discuss what practical forms the military cooperation could take. Beside other matters the Pakistani leader is expected to hold talks about extending economic ties. -AFP