BAKU: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev on Friday expressed their desire to hold joint military training, besides cooperation in the defence production field.
Speaking at a joint press stakeout, the premier said that Pakistan and Azerbaijan shared similar perceptions through congruent ideals. “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.
He said that the two countries remained advocates of peaceful neighbourhood and peace for development, despite naked aggression from others. However, the courage to remain steadfast to the principles of peace must never be mistaken for weakness, he stressed.
The premier said that the two countries’ mutual support for the causes of Kashmir and Nagorno-Karabakh testified the convergence of common views.
Reiterating Pakistan’s stance on Nagorno-Karabakh, Nawaz called for complete return of occupied Azeri lands, withdrawal of Armenian forces and return of displaced persons and refugees. The prime minister also appreciated Azerbaijan’s support for Pakistan on the issue of Jammu and Kashmir, which called for its resolution through dialogue and peaceful means in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions.
Referring to signing of a joint declaration, the premier said, “We noted with satisfaction that our political relations are steadily growing.”
He said that both the countries had agreed to further strengthen these relations in diverse fields. He observed that their bilateral trade currently didn’t commensurate with actual potential, and needed to be revitalised. He also lauded the socio-economic development and progress of Azerbaijan under the dynamic leadership of President Aliyev. Expressing his gratitude to the warm and generous hospitality extended to him and his delegation, the premier said his visit to Baku provided them with an opportunity to reflect upon common goals of progress, prosperity, development, connectivity and integration of the entire region.
Speaking on the occasion, President Ilham Aliyev said that Pakistan was a close friend of Azerbaijan, as it had supported his country on the Nagorno-Karabakh issue. He said his country supported Pakistan’s stance over Jammu and Kashmir and the implementation of UN Security Council resolutions. He said that such a stance by the leadership of the two countries also united them, and the people of Azerbaijan were grateful to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif who during his past tenure had supported them on Nagorno-Karabakh.
