PAKISTAN ASSURED OF PROVIDING ASSISTANCE TO AZERBAIJAN IN CASE OF ESCALATION OF KARABAKH CONFLICTSeptember 11, 2003 - 19:48 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Pakistan will provide assistance to Azerbaijan in case of escalation of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, stated commander of the naval forces of Pakistan admiral Shahid Karimullah. "We have openly stated here that we are ready to sell arms to Azerbaijan," - he told journalists after a meeting with vice speaker of Azeri parliament Ziyafet Askerov in Baku. In Karimullah's words, Pakistan is interested in enlarging military cooperation with Azerbaijan and intends to hold negotiations to intensify training of the Azeri military in the ranks of the Pakistani army and fleet. As reported by "Novosti" Russian agency, the visit of the commander of the naval forces to Baku is held within the framework of bilateral agreement on military cooperation signed in Karachi in 2002. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Armenia recalls Belarus envoy for consultations Armenian Ambassador to Belarus has been called to Yerevan for consultations, a spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry reveals. Armenia denies Azerbaijan's ceasefire accusations The Armenian Defense Ministry has denied Azerbaijan's accusations of violating the ceasefire. Armenia will leave Russian-led military bloc, says Pashinyan Armenia will leave the Russian-led Collective Security Organization, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said, without giving any dates. EU encourages Armenia to prioritize strategic projects The EU has encouraged Armenia to prioritize strategic projects, according to a statement from the country’s Foreign Ministry. |