Lachin, May 27, 2025 – The Europe Today: President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev held a limited format meeting with the Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, in the city of Lachin on Monday, as part of the latter’s official visit to Azerbaijan.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep satisfaction with his visit to the Karabakh and East Zangezur regions, reaffirming Pakistan’s unwavering support for Azerbaijan’s sovereignty. “Karabakh is Azerbaijan!” he declared, reiterating Pakistan’s principled stance on the issue.
Extending congratulations on the upcoming Independence Day of Azerbaijan, the Prime Minister lauded the impressive pace and scale of restoration and reconstruction efforts underway in Lachin and surrounding territories. He commended President Ilham Aliyev for his visionary leadership in transforming the liberated areas within a remarkably short time and congratulated the Azerbaijani people on these significant achievements. Highlighting the region’s picturesque landscapes, he noted its potential to become one of the world’s most attractive tourist destinations.
President Ilham Aliyev, in turn, reflected on the tragic history of the region, recalling that Lachin was one of the first districts to fall under occupation in 1992. He underscored the severe destruction inflicted during the 30-year occupation and the ethnic cleansing endured by the local population. The President emphasized the ongoing large-scale restoration and reconstruction efforts being carried out to revitalize the region and ensure the return of its residents.
During the meeting, Prime Minister Sharif briefed President Aliyev on the recent ceasefire agreement reached between India and Pakistan, underscoring Islamabad’s commitment to fostering peace and stability in South Asia. President Aliyev welcomed the news, reiterating Azerbaijan’s firm belief in resolving conflicts through peaceful dialogue and mutual understanding.
The two leaders also engaged in a comprehensive exchange of views on strengthening bilateral cooperation across a wide range of sectors, including economy and trade, science, education, high technologies, and student exchange programs. Both sides emphasized the importance of enhancing people-to-people ties and fostering deeper institutional collaboration.
Concluding their discussions, the leaders noted the significance of the upcoming trilateral summit between Azerbaijan, Türkiye, and Pakistan, scheduled to be held in Lachin on May 28, with the participation of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of Türkiye. They described the summit as a testament to the enduring brotherhood, unity, and strategic partnership shared among the three nations.
The meeting in Lachin symbolized not only the strengthening of Azerbaijan-Pakistan relations but also a shared commitment to regional stability, development, and prosperity.
