Colonel General Karim Valiyev, first Deputy Minister of Defense and Head of the General Staff of Azerbaijan Army, called for Chief of Army Staff (Coas) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir at the general headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, Radio Pakistan reported on Wednesday.
During the meeting, both sides discussed questions of mutual interest with special emphasis on the evolving global and regional security environment. The two leaders expressed a common obligation to strengthen defense cooperation and promote joint efforts aimed at promoting regional peace and stability.
Field Marshal Munir confirmed Pakistan’s brotherly ties with Azerbaijan and repeated the decision to further strengthen the bilateral military and diplomatic relations.
He congratulated the visitor worthy of the successful end of the peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia and described it as a positive development for the region.
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Colonel General Valiyev praised professionalism from Pakistan armed forces and recognized their role in recent operations, including Marka-E-Haq and Operation Bunyanum Marsoos. He also expanded crimes on Pakistan’s independence day and related parties.
The Coas expressed gratitude to Azerbaijan for his support during national operations and recognized the participation of the Azerbaijani quota in Pakistan’s independence day ceremony.
In a remarkable gesture, Colonel Valiyev on Field Marshal Munir awarded the Patriotic War Medal, one of Azerbaijan’s highest military honors, on behalf of President Ilham Aliyev. The award recognized Coas’ contribution to strengthening Pakistan-Azerbaijani military cooperation.
Previously, the visitor was honored with an honorary guard at GHQ and made a flower wreath at Yadgar-E-Shuhada to pay tribute to Pakistan’s martyrs.
President Zardari meets Azerbaijanian envoy
Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari Pakistan’s decision to further strengthen his brotherly relations with Azerbaijan during a meeting with Ambassador Khazar Farhadov in Aiwan-E-Sadr.
The president described Azerbaijan as a key partner and highlighted the potential for improved cooperation in trade, economy and regional connection. He noted that the elaboration of financial ties and people-to-people contact would contribute to prosperity for both nations.
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Zardari congratulated the ambassador with the historic peace agreement with Armenia and expanded crimes to President Ilham Aliyev and the people of Azerbaijan. He called the deal a step towards lasting peace and regional stability.
The president welcomed the introduction of direct air connections between the two countries and called it a significant development for trade, tourism and bilateral engagement. He also thanked Azerbaijan for his unshakable support for the question of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, especially within the framework of the OIC contact group.
