Pakistan supports Azerbaijan's stance on Nagorno-Karabakh, says Qureshi

(Karachi) Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has condemned the attack by Armenian forces on the rural areas of Azerbaijan, saying Pakistan supports the stance of Azerbaijan on Nagorno-Karabakh issue.

In a telephonic conversation with his Azeri counterpart Jeyhun Bayramov on Tuesday, Qureshi reaffirmed commitment that Pakistan stands by the people and leadership of Azerbaijan during these difficult times.

He said that the ceasefire between Azerbaijan and Armenia on humanitarian grounds is a positive step for regional peace and stability. He said durable peace depends upon complete implementation of UN Security Council resolutions and withdrawal of Armenian forces from the areas of Azerbaijan.

The FM hailed Azerbaijan’s support for oppressed Kashmiri people at the international forums.

The two Foreign Ministers agreed to further bolster cooperation between the two countries in different areas including trade, education and culture. The Azeri Foreign Minster accepted the invitation extended by Shah Mahmood Qureshi to visit Pakistan.

Earlier, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev hailed Pakistan's continued support for Azerbaijan over recent conflict with Armenia. He said we have seen who our real brothers are. These are the people of Pakistan.

Ilham Aliyev said there is great potential for both countries for stimulating mutual trade and build more active investment relations. "We are grateful to Pakistan for its resolute position on the issues of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity."

"Pakistan does not recognize Armenia due to Armenia's occupation of Azerbaijani lands. This is a true demonstration of brotherhood," the Azerbaijan president said.

Border clashes broke out after Armenian forces ”allegedly targeted Azerbaijani civilian settlements and military positions in Upper Karabakh region.

Both sides accused each other of initiating deadly clashes that claimed at least 23 lives over a decades-long territorial dispute and threatened to draw in regional powers, Russia and Turkey.

Recent clashes could initiate a fresh war between long-standing rivals Azerbaijan and Armenia which have been locked in a territorial dispute over the Armenia-backed breakaway region of Nagorny Karabakh.