ISLAMABAD: Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev, while addressing Azerbaijan’s Victory Day Parade on Saturday in Baku, acknowledged Pakistan’s support in its war against Armenia and stated, “Pakistan backed us with solidarity and support in war”.
Victory Day is observed in Azerbaijan on November 8 to commemorate its victory in the 44-day-long Karabakh Liberation War against Armenia.
Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan were present at the ceremony.
President Aliyev thanked leaders of Pakistan and Turkiye for accepting his invitation to attend the event and welcomed their presence at the venue.
He said that “today we have other important person, my dear brother prime minister of brotherly Pakistan, Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, stands with us, and the brotherly Pakistani state has shown the solidarity and support in all 44 days of our war.”
Aliyev further said, “today at this parade we have also Pakistani military personnel that is marching with us at this parade. And Pakistan, Azerbaijan and Turkiye are showing solidarity between their armed forces.”
He said, “Our policy was to restore territorial integrity and sovereignty. We proved to the world our resilience.” “Karabagh is Azerbaijan.”
Pakistani troops and JF 17 Thunder fighter jets appeared in Azerbaijan’s victory parade commemorating the Liberation of Karabagh.
‘Source of pride’
Erdogan, while speaking at the event said that “on the fifth anniversary of the victory day, I am very happy to be here.”
“He thanked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for his presence. I wish Aliyev continued and lasting success.”
“Liberation of Karabagh is a source of pride not just for Azerbaijan but for the entire Turkic world,” Erdogan said.
‘Three brothers’
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in his address praised the “heroic personnel of the armed forces of Azerbaijan.”
Sharif thanked President Aliyev for his invitation.
He said that “Pakistan, Azerbaijan and Türkiye are three brothers whose hearts beat together along with our brothers from UAE.”
Sharif said Pakistan will stand with our brothers and sisters in Azerbaijan for all times to come.
“Long live Pakistan, Azerbaijan, Türkiye, and UAE friendship,” the Pakistani prime minister said at the end of his brief address.
