Pakistan, China condemn elections in Garabagh

Foreign minister Vilayat Guliyev received Chinese ambassador to Azerbaijan Zian Gozian Wednesday, as the latter handed in to the Azeri minister a letter by Chinese foreign minister Tan Zia Suan condemning the elections to local governments in the so-called Upper Garabagh Republic, MFA said Thursday.

The letter reaffirms China's position regarding these elections, its respect for Azerbaijan's territorial integrity and sovereignty, the UN SC resolutions concerning Upper Garabagh, and the necessity of finding a negotiated solution to the conflict in cooperation with the international community. It also expresses aspiration to hold a comprehensive exchange of views on expanding relations between Azerbaijan and China.

Min. Guliyev highly appreciated the position of his Chinese counterpart, saying he attaches a greater importance to developing all-sided relations with China and voiced a hope that the friendly relations between the two nations would further strengthen.

In another development Pakistani ambassador Muhammad Faiz Khoso met with foreign minister Vilayat Guliyev Saturday to hand in to him a letter by his Pakistani counterpart denouncing the so-called elections to local governments in the Armenia-occupied Upper Garabagh. The ambassador underscored that Pakistan supports Azerbaijan's territorial integrity and considers the country's position towards a negotiated settlement of the Armenian-Azerbaijan conflict fair.

The parties exchanged views on mutually interesting issues.