ISLAMABAD: The tripartite meeting between the Foreign Ministers of Pakistan, Azerbaijan and Turkey concluded with the three ministers holding a joint press conference.
Speaking on the occasion, the Pakistani Foreign Minister (FM) Shah Mehmood Qureshi informed the media that the FMs of Azerbaijan and Turkey signed the Islamabad declaration. Furthermore, he added that during the meetings, the three FMs discussed topics of mutual interests.
FM Qureshi further informed the media that the three countries “decided to deepen the cooperation and make this dialogue a norm,” while adding that the meeting also “identified common challenges: crimes against humanity, Muslim minorities, rising Islamophobia, and challenges posed by COVID-19.” The Minister said that the participants of the meeting agreed to enhance linkages through parliamentary forums.
The authorities also agreed to build trilateral cooperation in the fields of economy, investment, trade and culture, the Minister said. “Government and People of Pakistan thank Azerbaijan and Turkey on their steadfast support on Kashmir, and I apprised my fellows on the situation in Illegally Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir,” added Qureshi.
The Turkish and Azeri counterparts appreciated the Pakistans role in the Afghan Peace Process and agreed to extend support on core national interests issues.
While speaking at the occasion, the Turkish Foreign Minister expressed happiness at seeing Azerbaijan being included in Pakistan and Turkey’s bilateral relations as an ally and brother nation.
“We have agreed to continue working together to advance security and stability,” said Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, “will host the next trilateral in Turkey.”
“Three of us underlined the importance of connectivity and resolution to the disputes in Kashmir, Nargono Karabakh, Cyprus, Eastern Mediterranean was discussed,” he continued expressing full solidarity with the “Kashmiri brothers”.
The Turkish Foreign Minister also hinted at India’s illegal annexation of Jammu and Kashmir, saying that “unilateral steps complicate the situation.” He further reaffirmed Turkey’s belief in dialogue and peaceful resolution of the issue through UN resolutions and expressed hope Armenia seized the window of opportunity for lasting peace.
Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov thanked Pakistan and Turkey for extending support to the Azeri nation during the recent Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. He added that Pakistan and Turkey supported conflict resolution based on sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.
He expressed that the people of Azerbaijan “highly appreciate the position taken by the two countries, which was one of real good friends and partners,” he added that the Azeri people were proudly waving Pakistani and Turkish flags.
During his speech, the Azeri Foreign Minister also condemned terrorism in the region.
Furthermore, he expressed a desire to invite Pakistani companies for the reconstruction of newly liberated lands in Azerbaijan’s conflict with Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region.
