Qureshi expresses solidarity with Azeri leadership, people

Tells Azeri counterpart Pakistan supports Azerbaijan's stance on Nagorno-Karabakh

ISLAMABAD:

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi reiterated on Tuesday that Pakistan supports Azerbaijan's stance on Nagorno-Karabakh.

During a telephonic conversation with his Azeri counterpart, Jeyhun Bayramov, the foreign minister expressed solidarity with the people and leadership of Azerbaijan.

Qureshi expressed concern over the deteriorating security situation in Nagorno-Karabakh, adding that Pakistan believed in restoration of territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh and Azerbaijan’s occupied territories.

He condemned the Armenian bombing on the rural areas of Azerbaijan, adding that the ceasefire between Azerbaijan and Armenia on humanitarian grounds is a positive move for peace and stability in the region.

Qureshi further stated that durable peace depends on the complete implementation of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions and withdrawal of Armenian forces from Azerbaijan.

The foreign minister also welcomed Azerbaijan's support for the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJ&K) at international forums.

He said briefed his counterpart on the grave human rights violations by Indian armed forces in the occupied region.

The foreign ministers agreed to further strengthen ties between the two countries in different areas including trade, education and culture.

Qureshi extended an invitation to the Azeri foreign minister to visit Pakistan, which he accepted.

The decades-long Nagorno-Karabakh conflict re-erupted on September 27 and has so far killed more than 700 people, including nearly 80 civilians.

On Sunday, Armenia and Azerbaijan accused each other of violating a new humanitarian ceasefire in fighting over Azerbaijan’s ethnic Armenian-controlled enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh.