Azerbaijan backs Pakistan on Kashmir

Nawaz says both countries advocate peace despite naked aggression

BAKU: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday said Pakistan and Azerbaijan shared similar perceptions through congenial ideals which were vital for the regional integration and connectivity.

“We believe that all the regional and global issues must be resolved through dialogue and peaceful means within the framework of international law,” he said in a joint press stakeout with President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.

The prime minister said they remained advocates of “peaceful neighbourhood” and “peace for development” in spite of naked aggression from others.



However, the courage to remain steadfast to the principles of peace must never be mistaken for weakness, he stressed.

The prime minister said the mutual support between Pakistan and Azerbaijan on the Jammu and Kashmir, and Nagorno-Karabakh testified to the close understanding and convergence of common views.

Reiterating Pakistan’s stance over Nagorno-Karabakh, Nawaz called for complete return of occupied Azeri lands, withdrawal of Armenian forces and return of internally displaced people and refugees.

The prime minister also appreciated Azerbaijan’s support for Pakistan on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute which called for its resolution through dialogue and peaceful means in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions.

The prime minister said the mutual support would remain firm between the two countries till the final resolution of the outstanding issues.

“The prospects of development and progress of both countries as well as the peace and security of the region remained hostage to these conflicts.”

The prime minister said they also resolved to enhance and diversify the already dynamic relations between the two countries.

“We noted with satisfaction that our political relations are steadily growing,” he said, adding that both countries agreed to further strengthen these relations in diverse fields.

Prime Minister Sharif observed that their bilateral trade currently did not commensurate with actual potential and needed to be revitalised. He also lauded the socioeconomic development and progress of Azerbaijan under the dynamic leadership of Aliyev.

Speaking on the occasion, Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev said Pakistan was a close friend of Azerbaijan as it had supported his country on Nagorno-Karabakh issue.

He said they supported Pakistan’s stance over the Jammu and Kashmir dispute and the implementation of the UN Security Council resolutions which unfortunately remained unfulfilled.



He said such stance by the leadership of the two countries also united them and the people of Azerbaijan were grateful to Prime Minister Sharif who during his past tenure had supported them on Nagorno-Karabakh issue.

President Aliyev said they also agreed to further boost their economic and investment ties, especially export sector through a mechanism. Pakistan had rich experience in the pharmaceutical sector and Azerbaijan would like to explore cooperation in that regard.

He said they were keen for joint military training, besides cooperation in the defence production field.

Referring to the signing of a Joint Declaration, the prime minister said it depicted their resolve to enhance and diversity the already dynamic relations between two countries.

“We noted with satisfaction that our political relations are steadily growing,” he said, adding that both countries agreed to further strengthen these relations in diverse fields.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 15^th, 2016.