Today in Islamabad, Azerbaijan ambassador Ali Alizada has thanked Pakistan and Turkey for extending unequivocal support for Azerbaijan on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
Addressing the press here on Thursday, the envoy condemned the Armenian military’s aggression and attacks against Azerbaijan and said instead of accepting resolution of the UN Security Council and other international organizations seeking the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of its troops from the occupied Azerbaijani territories, Armenia was trying to consolidate the status quo regime based on occupation.
The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
“The provocations carried out by the Armenian leadership, both in word and in deed and attempts to change the dialogue format have dealt a blow to the conflicts settlement process mediated by the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs,” he said.
The ambassador said counter-offensive operations of Azerbaijan against Armenian attacks were carried out within internationally recognised territories of Azerbaijan and in compliance with Article 51 of the UN Charter (right of self-defence).
“The responsibility for the escalation of the situation on the front line lies directly with the Armenian military-political leadership,” he said.
The envoy said Azerbaijan had no military targets in Armenia and its counter-offensive operation was meant to liberate its lands and force Armenia to make peace,” he said.
He said his country urged the world community to take a principled stand and condemn the next Armenia’s aggressive actions.
“South Caucasus will never have peace and security until Armenia liberates the occupied lands,” he said. Col Mehman Novruzov, military attache at Azerbaijan embassy, who was also present on the occasion, said Armenia was spreading fake information and groundless accusations against Azerbaijan in a bid to involve third parties in the conflict.
Middle East and Asia express their concerns
The Middle East and Asian nations expressed their concern over escalating clashes between Armenian forces and Azerbaijani military in the Upper Karabakh, or Nagorno-Karabakh region. Prime Minister Imran Khan too reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for Azerbaijan on the Upper Karabakh conflict, the premier’s office said on Wednesday.
In a statement issued by the office in Islamabad, Khan met with Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos and the two leaders discussed the whole spectrum of bilateral relations that are marked by mutual trust and support.
“Pakistan stands with the brotherly nation of Azerbaijan and supports its right of self-defence,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement. “We support Azerbaijan’s position on Nagorno-Karabakh, which is in line with several unanimously adopted UN Security Council resolutions,” it added.
“The prime minister appreciated Azerbaijan’s valuable contributions including as a member of the OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir and reiterated Pakistan’s support for Azerbaijan on the issue of Nagorno [Upper] Karabakh,” the statement said.
Aliyev, for his part, expressed gratitude for Pakistan’s consistent support on the Upper Karabakh conflict.
Upper Karabakh is the internationally recognized territory of Azerbaijan illegally occupied by Armenia through military aggression since 1991. During the meeting the two sides reiterated mutual support for each other’s national causes and determination to further deepen bilateral relations in all fields.
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“The prime minister briefed President Aliyev on the grave and systematic human rights violations in the IOJ&K [Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir] as well as the devastating impact of the Indian government’s unilateral and illegal actions of 5 August 2019, which were accompanied by an inhumane lockdown which continues to date,” the statement added. Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
The two leaders also agreed to maintain frequent bilateral exchanges at the highest level.
Aliyev invited Khan to visit Azerbaijan.