Pakistan on Tuesday congratulated Azerbaijan on the liberation of their key territories from Armenian occupation.
“We congratulate the government and brotherly people of Azerbaijan on the liberation of their territories,” said a statement from the Foreign Ministry.
The ministry expressed hope that this will lead to an era of “stability and prosperity” in the region and “will pave way for the return of internally displaced persons to their ancestral lands.”
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“Pakistan has consistently supported the resolution of Nagorno Karabakh dispute in accordance with international law and the relevant UN Security Council resolutions,” it went on to say.
The trilateral agreement facilitated by Russia, the statement further said, offers a “renewed” opportunity for establishing peace in the South Caucus region.
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced early Tuesday that the two former Soviet republics have signed a deal to end the conflict in Upper Karabakh, also known as Nagorno-Karabakh.
#Pakistan MFA: "We congratulate the government and brotherly people of #Azerbaijan🇦🇿 on the liberation of their territories. It is hoped that this will lead to an era of stability and prosperity in the region&will pave way for the return of IDPs to their ancestral lands"🇦🇿🤝🇵🇰 pic.twitter.com/Ws2ohxVEi0
— Azerbaijan Emb. to Pakistan (@AzEmbPak) November 10, 2020
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has hailed the agreement as a victory for his country, saying Baku’s military success has enabled it to gain an upper hand to end the three-decade-long occupation of its territory.
The Turkish leadership has also welcomed the truce, terming it a “great victory” for Azerbaijan. Relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia have remained tense since 1991, but fresh clashes broke out on Sept. 27.
Read more: Azerbaijan thanks Pakistan and Turkey for support on Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
Armenia repeatedly attacked Azerbaijani civilians and forces for over 40 days, even violating three humanitarian cease-fire agreements. Besides other towns and villages, Baku’s liberation of the strategic city Shusha on Sunday had signaled that victory is imminent.
Pakistan Armed Forces fully support Azerbaijan
Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Gen. Nadeem Raza said last month that his forces fully support Azerbaijan’s position in the occupied Nagorno-Karabakh.
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Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to Pakistan Ali Alizada met with Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Gen. Nadeem Raza at the Joint Staff Headquarters in the garrison city of Rawalpindi to discuss matters of bilateral interest and regional security, according to a statement by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) — the Pakistan army’s media wing.
The military chief reaffirmed the brotherly relationship between the two countries and said it is built on strong foundations.
Anadolu with additional input by GVS News Desk