GAUHAR MALIK
BAKU Hikmet Hajiyev, Head of the Department of Foreign Policy Affairs of the Azerbaijani Presidential Administration said that Azerbaijan was rapidly emerging as the hub for inter-faith civilization and bridge between regional countries to promote political, economic and commercial ties. Briefing journalists from Pakistan, Jordan, Morocco, Algeria, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates today in Baku, Azerbaijan’s senior most foreign policy advisor Hikmet Hajiyev said that Azerbaijan was eager to expand ties with all regional states and could increase its trade links with Pakistan via Iran. The Azeri officials said that ‘it is in the DNA of Azerbaijan to create a society of coexistence and free atmosphere for all religion and faiths. “We have Churches, Mosques, Synagogues and worship houses of all faiths with full freedom for all”. Azerbaijan which maintains a warm and cordial relationship with Turkey is now eager to expand its trade ties with Pakistan and Iran as well. In as twitter message on Friday afternoon the top foreign policy expert, Hikmet Hajiyev said “it was my pleasure to address and answer the questions of group of journalists from friendly and brotherly OIC countries – Pakistan, Jordan, Morocco, Algeria, Egypt, OBSERVER REPORT COLOMBO Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force arrived in Sri Lanka on an official visit. The Air Chief called on the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Mr Mahinda Rajapaksa, in his Office. The Sri Lankan Prime Minister acknowledged Pakistan’s unwavering support to Sri Lanka in any hour of need. He also underscored the need of learning from each Air Chief offers coop to Sri Lanka in aviation’s fields other’s experience. The Air Chief assured of sustained support and cooperation in the fields of technical training and professional expertise. He also reiterated to further enhance the existing friendly relations between both the countries in general and the air forces in particular. Earlier in the day, the Air Chief visited Sri Lanka Air Force Headquarters. A smartly turned out contingent of Sri Lanka Air Force presented him the Guard of Honour. He called on Air Marshal Sumangala Dias, Commander Sri Lanka Air Force. Bilateral matters pertaining to mutual professional interest came under discussion during the meeting. The Air Chief offered to provide training assistance and cooperation in various aviation related fields to his counterpart. The Sri Lankan Air Chief thanked Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan for such sincere offer of cooperation and agreed to explore new avenues to enhance bilateral professional cooperation. NEW YORK Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Munir Akram believes that Islamabad’s “forceful and determined campaign” on Indian atrocities in occupied Kashmir has revived the decadesold dispute at the global forum. “For the first time in 50 years, the Jammu Kashmir issue is now fully alive at the UN,” Ambassador Munir Akram told a large gathering in New York on Thursday while addressing a speech at the meeting arranged by Pakistan’s Consulate General to mark Kashmir Solidarity Day. “The entire world has seen how the nation has come together to raise voice for our Kashmir brethren after the illegal actions taken by India on August 5,” Ambassador Akram said. The envoy was referring to the day Kashmir issue‘fully alive’ at UN after Pak campaign:Munir when India annexed the disputed valley and placed a communications lockdown in the region. As a result of the efforts of Pakistani mission, the envoy said, the UN Security Council has discussed the Kashmir dispute three times in less than six months. Akram noted that the the 15-member body voiced extreme concern over the human rights violations in occupied Kashmir and called for an end to abuses against Kashmiris in its last meeting, held on January 15. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet, and other high-ranking UN official have repeatedly condemned the Indian actions and reiterated Jammu and Kashmir ’s disputed status. “Kashmir is now our number one priority,” the UAE and others.” Hikmet Hajiev recalled maintains that “historically it is (Azerbaijan) part of the Great Silk Road and situated at crossroads of the geopolitical, economic and cultural interests of many nations and civilizations. “Now we should turn the Silk Road into a digitalized route to facilitate communications and trade”. The Azeri official reiterated the official policy that the Kashmir dispute should be solved in accordance with the UN Resolutions and Internal norms. He also said that Azerbaijan is keen to link with Pakistan via road and railway via Iran which borders both the countries. He also said that his country was eager to expand commercial relations with all the countries particularly the regional states in the neighborhood. Mr. Hikmet Hajiev also outlined the basic principles of Azerbaijan’s foreign policy, the ArmeniaAzerbaijan NagornoKarabakh conflict, the leading role of Azerbaijan in the region, the country development and ongoing projects. He noted the regional leading position of Azerbaijan under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, and the ongoing fundamental reforms in the country. Hajiyev also provided detailed information about the unconstructive position of Armenia, its illegal activities in the occupied Azerbaijani territories adding that Armenia continues to violate cease-fire. It may be recalled that Armenian occupation forces continued to violate cease-fire along the border with Azerbaijan despite repeated protests and criticism by international bodies. Welcoming the foreign journalists from a number of countries who arrived here to cover the forthcoming Parliamentary elections, Hikmet Aliev answered numerous questions from the journalists from Pakistan and other countries. Meanwhile Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on Friday signed the order to award “Dostlug” Order (F riendship Awa rd ) to Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu for his special services rendered to the strengthening of friendship and mutual cooperation between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Turkey.
