June 26 - Day of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Azerbaijan was celebrated at the Joint Staff Headquarters of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan

The Joint Staff Headquarters of the Armed Forces of Pakistan organized an official event on the occasion of June 26 – Day of Azerbaijan’s Armed Forces. The event, which was hosted by the Joint Staff Headquarters of the Armed Forces of Pakistan for the first time, was attended by the Generals of the Joint Staff Headquarters of the Pakistani Armed Forces, high-ranking military officers, diplomats of the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan to Pakistan.

The ceremony started with the national anthems of Azerbaijan and Pakistan followed by the briefing and video clips containing information about the history and development of the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan, the consequences of Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, results of Armenian aggression and Khojaly Genocide, as well as about bilateral military cooperation between Azerbaijan and Pakistan was displayed at the event.

Defense Attaché of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Azerbaijan to Pakistan, Colonel Mehman Novruzov after greeting the guests, spoke about the history of the establishment and development of the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, as well as the current state and future prospects of bilateral military cooperation between Azerbaijan and Pakistan. He gave detailed information to the participants of the event about achievements in army building, which is the result of the successful policy laid by National Leader Heydar Aliyev and continued by President Ilham Aliyev in all areas. He noted that the Army of Azerbaijan, equipped with modern weapons and having highly qualified and patriotic personnel, is the strongest in the South Caucasus.

Colonel Mehman Novruzov talked about the successful counter-attack operations carried out by the Azerbaijani army in order to prevent the provocation of the aggressor Armenian army in Nagorno-Karabakh in April 2016, as well as the military operations of May 2018, which resulted in the liberation of large territories and strategic altitudes, including the Gunnut village of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. He stressed that the successes of our army will continue in the future as well. Colonel Mehman Novruzov highlighted high level of bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries - Azerbaijan and Pakistan, and stressed that these relations include military, military-training and military-technical fields too, and military relations are improving dynamically. He said that joint exercises of the Azerbaijani and Pakistani special forces will be held in near future and that such trainings are very important in terms of exchange of experience and gaining interoperability between the Armed Forces of the two brotherly countries.

Director General Logistics of the Joint Staff Headquarters of the Armed Forces of Pakistan, Air Vice Marshal Irfan Zaka conveyed congratulations of the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee of Pakistan and noted that year by year, the deepening of the military cooperation between Azerbaijan and Pakistan, as well as the strengthening of the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan is very pleasing and shared his best wishes.

Speaking at the event, Ali Alizada, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Azerbaijan to Pakistan, talked about the common values and ties existing between Azerbaijan and Pakistan, and noted that after the restoration of the independence of Azerbaijan relations of strategic partnership, friendship and brotherhood based on mutual trust and respect were established between the two countries. He said that due to the special attention paid by the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, President Ilham Aliyev to the improvement of relations with Pakistan, mutual cooperation in the military sphere has been intensified and joint activities and projects are constantly increasing. Ambassador highlighted that Pakistan and Azerbaijan support each other in all international organizations and forums, and they advocate the resolution of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and Kashmir issue on the basis of UN resolutions and norms of international law. He said that Pakistan's adherence to and support for the fair position of Azerbaijan in this regard is always appreciated.

Ali Alizada expressed his gratitude to the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee of the Armed Forces of Pakistan and to his staff for the initiative and organization of the event, and mentioned that celebrating the Day of the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan in Joint Staff Headquarters is a manifestation of friendship and fraternity, strong cooperation between the two countries.

Following the speeches, a symbolic cake with the flags of both countries was cut, memorable words were written in the Book of Honorable Guests of the Joint Staff Headquarters, and official gifts from both sides were presented.