BAKU: Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif Friday said that Pakistan and Azerbaijan 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 said in a joint press stakeout with President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.
Prime Minister Sharif said they remained advocates of ” peaceful neighbourhood’ and ‘ peace for development’ in spite of naked aggression from others.
However, the courage to remain steadfast to the principles of peace must never be mistaken for weakness, he stressed.
The Prime Minister said the mutual support between Pakistan and Azerbaijan on the Jammu and Kashmir Nagorno Karabakh testified to the close understanding and convergence of common views.
Reiterating Pakistan,’ stance over Nagorno Karabakh, Prime Minister Sharif called for complete return of occupied Azeri lands, withdrawal of Armenian forces and return of DIPs and refugees.
The Prime Minister also appreciated Azerbaijan’s support for Pakistan on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute which called for its resolution through dialogue and peaceful means in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions.
The Prime Minister said mutual support would remain firm between two countries till final resolution of the outstanding issues.
The prospects of development and progress of both countries as well as the peace and security of the region remained hostage to these conflicts, he added.
Referring to signing of a Joint Declaration, the Prime Minister said it depicted their resolve to enhance and diversity the already dynamic relations between two countries.
“We noted with satisfaction that our political relations are steadily growing,” he said, adding that both countries agreed to further strengthen these relations in diverse fields.
Prime Minister Sharif observed that their bilateral trade currently didn’t commensurate with actual potential and needed to be revitalized.
He also lauded the socio-economic development and progress of Azerbaijan under the dynamic leadership of Aliyev.
