BAKU: As Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif begins his three-day visit from Baku, both Pakistan and Azerbaijan agreed on Friday to conduct military drills after Russia pledged the same few days back.
During a joint press briefing, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev also showed his willingness to sign a deal with Pakistan for buying defence equipment.
On this occasion, Prime Minister Sharif said that Islamabad and Baku 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 told reporters with President Aliyev.
The premier said that Pakistan remained an advocate of a peaceful region in spite of naked aggression from neighbouring countries.
However, he stressed that the tenacity to remain unwavering to the principles of peace must not be mistaken for weakness.
The Prime Minister said the mutual support between Pakistan and Azerbaijan on the issues of Kashmir and Nagorno-Karabakh testified to the close understanding of common views.
Reiterating Pakistan’s stance over Nagorno-Karabakh, the premier called for a return of occupied Azeri lands and withdrawal of Armenian forces peacefully.
PM Nawaz also lauded Azerbaijan’s support for Pakistan on the decades-long Kashmir dispute, which called for its resolution through dialogue and peaceful means in accordance with the United Nations (UN) Security Council resolutions.
The Prime Minister said that mutual support firm between the two countries would remain until final resolution of the common outstanding issues.
Unfortunately, the prospects of development and progress of both countries along with peace and security of the region remained hostage to these conflicts, PM Nawaz added.
Referring to the signing of a joint declaration between the Pakistan and Azerbaijan, he said it depicted their resolve to enhance and diversify the already dynamic relations.
“We noted with satisfaction that our political relations are steadily growing,” he said, adding that both countries agreed to further strengthen these ties in diverse fields.
