Armenia must release Azerbaijani territories: Pakistan
By Sara Rajabova
Pakistani and Azerbaijani officials discussed bilateral relations between the two countries, as Azerbaijani Ambassador to Pakistan Dashgin Shikarov met with Acting Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan Murtaza Javed Abbasi on March 13.
Speaking of friendly relations between the two countries, Shikarov expressed his gratitude for Pakistan's support of Azerbaijan in all matters, including the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
Highlighting Azerbaijani people's solidarity with Pakistan, Shikarov also provided information about the current state of the negotiation process on the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict emerged in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Since a lengthy war in the early 1990s that displaced over one million Azerbaijanis, Armenian armed forces have occupied over 20 percent of Azerbaijan's internationally recognized territory, including Nagorno-Karabakh and seven adjacent regions.
Shikarov also expressed his gratitude for the recognition of the Khojaly genocide by Pakistani Parliament and the adoption of resolutions demanding the unconditional withdrawal of Armenian armed forces from Azerbaijan's occupied territory.
Abbasi, in turn, noted that the relationships between the two countries are friendly, strategic, and developing dynamically.
He stressed that Pakistan unequivocally supports Azerbaijan in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, and will not recognize Armenia until the liberation of Azerbaijani lands is realized.
Abbasi also said the first meeting of the Pakistan-Azerbaijan friendship group in the Parliament of Pakistan will take place in April.
The sides also discussed the economic relations between Azerbaijan and Pakistan, stressing that there is great potential for the development of relations in this sphere.
Shikarov noted that Pakistan can benefit from Azerbaijan's experience in the oil and gas industry, heavy industry, construction, and agriculture.
The Azerbaijani ambassador also briefed the other side on the economic reforms and energy projects realized in Azerbaijan, the beautification work carried out in Baku and other regions of the country, Azerbaijan's investment projects abroad, etc.