Azerbaijan praises Pakistan’s unwavering support in ‘eternal and invincible friendship’

Azerbaijan's Ambassador to Islamabad hailed strong bilateral ties with Pakistan, a close ally that has supported Baku amid the ongoing conflict over Upper Karabakh which has been occupied by Armenia for close to 28 years.

Speaking at an awards ceremony held for the winners of the “Azerbaijan-Pakistan friendship is eternal and invincible,”art competition, Ali Alizada reiterated Azerbaijan's gratitude to Islamabad and the people of Pakistan for their unwavering support and solidarity during difficult times.

"Pakistan has always stood by Azerbaijan in difficult times," he said at the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Pakistan.

Alizada added that Armenian aggression and provocations against Azerbaijan and its attacks on innocent people have always been condemned by the Pakistani people and society, according to Pakistan Today.

He also underlined that the purpose of the competition is to promote understanding, religious, cultural and heritage similarities of the two sister countries and strengthen the bonds of friendship as well as cooperation.

Pakistan National Council of Arts (PNCA) Director-General Dr Fouzia Saeed also stressed the need to further deepen the relations between the two countries.

Participants and winners of the competition were presented with cash prizes, certificates and gifts at the end of the event.

Border clashes between Yerevan and Baku broke out on Sept. 27, when Armenian forces targeted Azerbaijani civilian settlements and military positions, leading to casualties.

Relations between the two ex-Soviet republics have been tense since 1991, when the Armenian military occupied Upper Karabakh, or Nagorno-Karabakh, an internationally recognized territory of Azerbaijan.

Multiple UN resolutions, as well as many international organizations, demand the withdrawal of the invading forces.