FOREIGN MINISTER HOLDS EXTENSIVE TALKS WITH FOREIGN MINISTER OF AZERBAIJAN

Islamabad : Foreign Minister Qureshi received Azerbaijan Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and his delegation at the Foreign Office, today. The two sides reviewed the entire gamut of Pakistan-Azerbaijan relations and exchanged views on regional and international issues. Foreign Minister Qureshi underlined the exceptional quality of Pakistan-Azerbaijan political ties and underscored the importance of building a stronger economic relationship. The two sides reaffirmed the resolve to comprehensively upgrade cooperation in the political, security, trade and economic, energy, connectivity, education and cultural arenas. Foreign Minister Qureshi congratulated his counterpart on Azerbaijan’s historic victory in the recent conflict on Nagorno-Karabakh and expressed support for rehabilitation and reconstruction activities in the newly liberated territories. Both sides reviewed with satisfaction the level of cooperation in the international fora, especially at the United Nations, OIC, ECO and NAM, and reiterated the determination to continue mutual collaboration and support on their respective core issues in the global and regional forums. Foreign Minister Qureshi expressed appreciation for Azerbaijan’s steadfast support to the just and legitimate cause of the Kashmiri people. As member of the OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir, Azerbaijan has consistently advocated the principled and legitimate right of the people of IIOJK to self-determination in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions. Foreign Minister Qureshi underscored the importance of an inclusive and broad-based political solution of the conflict in Afghanistan and highlighted Pakistan’s positive contribution to the Afghan peace process. Expressing satisfaction at the successful conclusion of 2nd Trilateral Meeting of Pakistan-Turkey and Azerbaijan held in Islamabad on 13 January 2021, it was underlined that trilateral cooperation may be enhanced through specific projects. At the conclusion of delegation-level talks, the two Foreign Ministers signed an MoU of cooperation in the field of natural emergencies/disasters. The two Foreign Ministers agreed to remain in close contact and maintain high-level exchanges to further deepen and strengthen bilateral cooperation in all fields.