Pakistan, Azerbaijan, Turkey ready to cooperate for peace, stability in region

F.P. Report

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan, Turkey and Azerbaijan on Wednesday have expressed strong determination to continue cooperation to promote peace, stability, and development in the region.

The three countries expressed resolve during a joint presser after concluding the second trilateral meeting of the forum in Islamabad this evening.

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi expresses his views saying that Pakistan enjoys cordial and brotherly relations with Turkey and Azerbaijan. He mentioned that a host of topics ranging from trade, investment, security, connectivity, and strategic cooperation came under discussion during the meeting.

While digging into the details he added that the trilateral meeting also discussed global and regional security environment, crimes against Muslim minority in various countries, the challenges of growing Islamophobia and Covid-19 pandemic.

He stated that the meeting exchanged views on enhancing cooperation in the field of energy, environment and people to people contacts and said special emphasis was made on increasing parliamentary and media exchanges among the three countries for better understanding and harmony.

During the meeting Shah Mahmood Qureshi expressed gratitude to his Turkish and Azerbaijan counterparts for their support on the Kashmir dispute.

Qureshi underscored that the meeting expressed concerns over gross human rights violations in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, prolonged military siege in IIOJK and India’s unilateral actions to change demography of the area.

While referring to Nagorno-Karabakh issue, the Pakistani Foreign Minister urged for resolution of this dispute peacefully.

He reaffirmed that Pakistan believes that all regional and global issues should be resolved through peaceful means and in light of the relevant international laws.

On the other hand, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Pakistan has unique space in the hearts of the people of Turkey.

He commented that both countries support each other in difficult times.

Cavusoglu was of the view that the current trade volume between the two countries is 800 million dollars which is much below than the real potential of the two countries and this volume needs to be enhanced.

He said over 100 Turkish companies are currently working in Pakistan in diverse fields and we are encouraging more companies to come and invest in Pakistan.

He said both countries are cooperating in the sector of defence production.

In addition to this Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu extended his country’s full support to the people of IIOJK and called for resolution of the Kashmir dispute as per relevant UN Resolutions.

Furthermore, Azerbaijan Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov condemned terrorism and rejected Islamophobia.

He remarked that the resolve to continue extending cooperation for regional peace and development.

Jeyhun Bayramov also thanked Pakistan and Turkey for extending their full support during the second war for the liberation of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Islamabad Declaration was signed on the conclusion of the second round of trilateral meeting of the foreign ministers of the three countries.

The Azeri minister also invited Pakistan and Turkey to play their part in the process of rehabilitation and reconstruction of newly liberated land of Azerbaijan.