Azerbaijan, Türkiye and Pakistan Deliver Message of Unity: “Together in Good Times and Bad”
Azerbaijan, Türkiye and Pakistan Deliver Message of Unity: “Together in Good Times and Bad”
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev stated, “The brotherhood among Azerbaijan, Türkiye, and Pakistan—three fraternal countries—is growing stronger year by year. We stand together in both good times and bad.”
President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan delivered a speech in the city of Lachin during Azerbaijan’s Independence Day celebration, which was attended by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif.
Thanking Erdoğan and Sharif for joining them on Azerbaijan’s most important holiday, Aliyev said, “The brotherhood among Azerbaijan, Türkiye, and Pakistan—three fraternal countries—is growing stronger year by year. We stand together in both good times and bad.”
Aliyev stated that the Türkiye-Azerbaijan-Pakistan Trilateral Summit held today once again reaffirmed the strategic partnership among the three countries.
Emphasizing the symbolic significance of the leaders of three fraternal nations meeting in Lachin, which had been under occupation for 30 years, Aliyev said, “During the 44-day war (Second Karabakh War), Türkiye and Pakistan supported us. The support of these two countries gave us hope and additional strength.”
Aliyev continued, “Today marks the beginning of a new chapter in our trilateral cooperation. I am confident that the agreements reached today will bring us even closer.”
Referring to the declaration of independence on May 28, 1918, the Soviet occupation period, and the transfer of Western Zangezur from Azerbaijan to Armenia, Aliyev also spoke about the reestablishment of independence in 1991 and the occupation of Azerbaijani territories as a result of Armenian aggression.
Aliyev emphasized that the victory in the Second Karabakh War established a new reality in the region, which is now recognized by all countries.
Touching on reconstruction and revival efforts in Karabakh, Aliyev noted:
“We will forever remain a victorious nation and state. The presence of my esteemed brothers at this celebration today, along with the support and solidarity shown, has created an entirely new global reality. Our strength lies in our unity. Today, we once again reaffirmed our unity in a trilateral format. I am confident that the messages delivered from Lachin—liberated from occupation—by the three countries will reach their intended audience. Long live the unity and brotherhood of Azerbaijan-Türkiye-Pakistan.”
PM Sharif: The Three Fraternal Nations Share Their Difficult Times Like a Family
Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif also delivered a speech, noting that the event coincides with both the anniversary of the proclamation of the Azerbaijani Republic on May 28, 1918, and the anniversary of Pakistan becoming a nuclear power.
Expressing his great joy and honor to participate in today’s celebration, Sharif extended his congratulations to the people of Azerbaijan.
Referring to the event being held in Lachin and the liberation of Karabakh from occupation, Prime Minister Sharif praised President Ilham Aliyev and the Azerbaijani Armed Forces.
Highlighting the support extended by Türkiye and President Erdoğan to Azerbaijan, Sharif also recalled his own country’s diplomatic and political support for Azerbaijan.
“We used to say ‘2 souls, 1 heart (Pakistan-Türkiye),’” Sharif stated. “Now it has become ‘3 souls, 1 heart (Pakistan-Türkiye-Azerbaijan)’ for eternity.”
Sharif expressed sorrow over the April 22 terrorist attack in the Pahalgam region of Jammu and Kashmir that killed 26 people, saying it was a tragic incident. He emphasized that Pakistan, despite facing a larger and more economically powerful adversary that had spent billions of dollars on advanced weapons over decades, managed to “overcome” that force.
Pointing out that India made “baseless accusations” against Pakistan, blaming it for organizing the terror attack, Sharif stated:
“We immediately proposed the establishment of an International Investigation Commission to transparently and credibly investigate the matter. However, in response, India attacked Pakistan, killing 33 innocent civilians, including children. We performed the funeral prayer for a six-year-old martyr. There were also women and elderly among the victims, and 55 Pakistanis were injured. We had no choice but to respond to defend Pakistan, and shortly afterward, our Air Force downed four French-made Rafale jets, one MiG-29, another aircraft, and one drone—six Indian aircraft in total.”
Sharif stated that a message was delivered to India saying, "Pakistan is a peace-loving country that seeks to promote peace and prosperity in the region. However, if Pakistan is attacked, we will respond with all our strength."
Sharif introduced Pakistan Army Chief Marshal Syed Asim Munir and highlighted his achievements, stating:
"He told me that India had attacked again. His voice reflected unwavering confidence. He was absolutely determined and calm, but also extremely clear about the need to teach our enemy a life lesson. We did not target civilians; we targeted India’s military facilities. This is the sharp distinction between us and them. They targeted innocent civilians and martyred them. We, on the other hand, targeted their military facilities and gave them the response they deserved."
Sharif said that after the clashes, a ceasefire offer came from India, and they accepted it because they wanted to avoid war.
Sharif emphasized that when Azerbaijan was attacked by Armenia, Türkiye and Pakistan stood firmly by Azerbaijan “like a solid rock,” and continued:
"Pakistan was attacked by India, and my dear brother President Erdoğan and our brothers in Türkiye stood by Pakistan like a strong fortress. And my very dear brother Aliyev and our brothers in Azerbaijan did not waste any time in showing their full solidarity with Pakistan. This was one of the most beautiful moments in our shared history. The three brotherly countries are sharing their hard times like a family."
Sharif said that these were difficult times but noted that the support of President Erdoğan and Azerbaijan’s President Aliyev during this period would never be forgotten.
Recalling that the second round of the trilateral meeting was held today, Sharif said that the meeting was highly productive in terms of coordinated efforts among the three brotherly countries.
Pointing out that the flags of Azerbaijan, Türkiye, and Pakistan are flying together in the city of Lachin, Sharif said:
"This strongly declares that these flags will rise even higher together. We will walk the path of progress and prosperity together."
Sharif expressed his thanks to Aliyev and Erdoğan for their support on the Jammu and Kashmir issue and reminded that the mountains of Kashmir have been stained with blood and that many lives have been lost.
"They have not abandoned this cause, and they will never give up until they obtain the fundamental freedoms secured by the articles of the United Nations Charter and outlined in the Security Council resolutions."
Sharif stated that Pakistan firmly stands behind the cause of the Kashmiri people and emphasized that Türkiye and Azerbaijan also support this cause.
"Inshallah, the day will come very soon, and the people of Kashmir will gain their freedom and escape the conflicts of captivity."
Prime Minister Sharif said what is happening in Gaza is no different from Jammu and Kashmir, noting that 52,000 Palestinians, including children, women, and the elderly, have been martyred and that even now blood is dripping from the streets of Gaza.
"In my opinion, there is no more heartbreaking incident in modern history than this. I wonder, when will the conscience of this civilized world wake up to these atrocities and Israel’s barbaric actions? This barbarism must be condemned in the strongest way, and together."
Sharif said President Erdoğan has always been the leader of this cause and is appreciated for being the voice of humanity, not only in the Islamic world but around the globe.
Drawing attention to the need for Azerbaijan, Türkiye, and Pakistan to raise their voices together, Sharif emphasized that a ceasefire must be achieved in Gaza immediately for the sake of humanity and that the deaths must stop.
Sharif concluded by stating that Palestinians must be granted the right to self-determination and that a two-state solution must be implemented.