LACHIN, Azerbaijan: Pakistan, Turkiye and Azerbaijan on Wednesday vowed to further strengthen their deep-rooted and historic ties, pledging enhanced cooperation for the mutual benefit of their peoples and for peace, stability and prosperity in the region.
The understanding was reached at the Pakistan-Turkiye-Azerbaijan trilateral summit held in Lachin, Azerbaijan.
Addressing the summit, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called for building on the spirit of the time-tested relationship between the three countries to move forward collectively in all spheres of common interest.
“Pakistan is eagerly looking forward to taking these trilateral ties to new heights,” PM Sharif said as reported by Radio Pakistan.
Prime Minister Sharif said, “Our strength lies in our solidarity as the three countries stood by each other in recent times be it on Karabakh, Kashmir or Northern Cyprus issues.”
“Pakistan is fortunate to have brothers like Azerbaijan and Turkiye who have always stood with us like an impregnable rock and whom we can trust without second thought unhesitatingly,” PM Sharif. He said that the three friendly nations are united in peace, justice and morality.
Shehbaz Sharif said as the world faces challenges like armed conflicts, climate change, diseases and economic crises, the leadership of Pakistan, Turkiye and Azerbaijan is here opting for compassion and rejecting conflict. He said patience and wisdom will ultimately usher in peace and prosperity.
Mentioning the recent India-Pakistan tension, Shehbaz Sharif said India not only failed to bring any credible evidence against Pakistan but also rejected Islamabad’s very sincere offer for a neutral and transparent international probe into the Pahalgam incident.
Shehbaz Sharif expressed gratitude to the Presidents of Turkiye and Azerbaijan and the people of the two countries for their support and solidarity with Pakistan during that time.
He applauded the role of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir who led the armed forces of Pakistan with exemplary bravery and professionalism during the Indian aggression against Pakistan.
Addressing the summit, Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev said, “We aim to achieve shared goals in political, economic, energy, mutual investment, transportation, defence, agriculture, IT and all sectors where there are opportunities to advance our cooperation through joint projects.”
He announced that Azerbaijan envisages a $2 billion investment in Pakistan’s economy.
The Azeri President said that his country intends to enhance cooperation with Pakistan in the defence industry as there is great potential for it. “Our joint military projects, exercises and defence cooperation will ensure peace and stability across our vast geography.”
He also highlighted the need for expanding academic and cultural collaboration.
Speaking on the occasion, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan paid tribute to Pakistan for showing prudence during tension with India.
He said Turkiye is pleased with the ceasefire between Pakistan and India, and hopes that it evolves into permanent peace. He said Turkiye is ready to make every possible contribution to this end.
Referring to the international system’s drifting into the crisis of legitimacy, the Turkish President mentioned Israel’s relentless “cruelty and expansionist policies” in Palestine.
He called on the entire world to increase pressure on Israel to agree to a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.
About the Pakistan-Turkiye-Azerbaijan trilateral cooperation, the Turkish President said the three countries will institutionalize their cooperation by holding regular trilateral summits and ministerial meetings.
“We will deepen our cooperation in defence and will maintain our common commitment to fight against terrorism,” Erdogan said.
He also mentioned taking joint steps for trade facilitation, investment promotion and digital transformation.
