ISLAMABAD: Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov on Tuesday lauded the firm support extended by Pakistan over the issue of Nagorno-Karabakh region against Armenia.

“Highly appreciate the firm support of brotherly Pakistan to the just position of Azerbaijan,” Mr Bayramov said in a tweet following a telephonic conversation with Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi.

Talking to Mr Bayramov, Mr Qureshi expressed deep concern over the deteriorating security situation in Azerbaijan’s Nagorno-Karabakh region, saying Pakistan believed in restoration of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and sovereignty over the territory.

He expressed concern over the reprehensible targeting and killing of civilians by Armenian security forces. He expressed hope for a peaceful resolution of the crisis in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions.

The two foreign ministers discussed bilateral relations and the ongoing conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Mr Qureshi recognised Azerbaijan’s valuable support to Pakistan on the Kashmir dispute at various international forums, including the Organisation of Islamic Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir.

Published in Dawn, October 21st, 2020