Pakistani public activist Qaiser Nawab gave exclusive interview to EDNews.net portal regarding the importance of the fair resolution of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. In his interview, he also touched upon Pakistan-Azerbaijan relations as well as the significant impacts of both countries in the regional and international projects.
Engr. Qaiser Nawab, a renowned Human Rights and Youth Activist is a young dynamic youth leader who has well-travelled the world and has represented Pakistani youth on many international forums in more than 39 countries. Being a youth activist, he finds special passion in connecting and inspiring young people of different backgrounds and nationalities. He is the Founder and CEO of “THE” Society- Together for Health and Education, a youth led organization, supporting young people in realizing their aspirations and potential for materializing Health and Education for Sustainable Development
- You know that as a result of Karabakh war, Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 percent of the territory of Azerbaijan and conducted the ethnic cleansing campaign and genocide against Azerbaijani population and its culture in the occupied regions. It is a miserable situation that Armenia rejects any peace initiative, disrespecting resolutions of the United Nations, ignoring principles of international law, and clutching at the occupation in the territory of Azerbaijan. Unfortunately, there is a lack of understanding by the international community that Armenian occupation is a firm threat to peace and stability in the South Caucasus. Please tell us how the ignorance of the international community to Armenian aggression contributes to instability and flurry in the South Caucasus?
- Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict is now decades old that has the potential to escalate to a bigger and lethal war that may engulf the whole region. The reason for this is that one of the parties in the conflict namely Armenia neighboring country of Azerbaijan keeps the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven adjacent territories of Azerbaijan under the occupation. Armenia pursuing policy to annex these territories by conducting ethnic cleansing towards Azerbaijanis and has major powers on their side in the form of alliances; so, a small incident might bring in the major powers that may become an international conflict.
- From your viewpoint, why haven’t international actors put pressure on Armenia to stop occupation and respect the territorial integrity of its neighbor? What are main reasons for this?
- International actors aren’t taking any actions as they don’t have any interests in the conflict. Their lack of interest in the conflict has created power vacuum due to which Armenia is taking advantage and is not ready to come to negotiation table. Moreover, United Nations is also not able to enforce its resolutions due to which Armenia has become stubborn.
- Do you think that the fair resolution of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and the restoration of stability in the South Caucasus would lead up to increasing the geopolitical importance of the region in the Eurasian continent?
- Yes, for sure, the resolution of the issue would ensure increasing the geopolitical importance of the region in the Eurasian continent as two neighboring states of Azerbaijan and Armenia would be at peace. This would lead to increase in trade and tourism between the two countries and would benefit the region as a whole. Moreover, it would also facilitate realizing the fruits of Belt and Road initiative of China and international North South Transport Corridor.
- How can you assess the significant role of Azerbaijan in the international trade and energy routes of Eurasia, such as China’s Belt and Road initiative and India’s North South International Corridor?
- Geographically speaking, Azerbaijan is located at very important place in these routes. SO, peace, prosperity and stability in Azerbaijan is significant for the true realization of these projects and UN 2030 Agenda. Talking about the BRI, we should mention the construction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, which decrease transportation of goods from Beijing to London to 11 days. Also, Azerbaijan has invested in the North-South transportation corridor, which will connect Persian Gulf with Baltic Sea. I think these projects will only work for the common welfare of the region.
- It is obvious that Azerbaijan and Pakistan are brother countries. There is a strong and comprehensive cooperation between both countries in the various fields, such as economy, trade, energy, military, culture, education and other regional areas. Pakistan’s produced advanced and powerful weapons play an essential role in the strengthening of Azerbaijani army. Meanwhile, both Pakistan and Azerbaijan also have been operating together in the development of regional economy and transit routes through the different organizations and diplomatic formats. Please tell us how can you appreciate the activity of both countries in this regard?
- Pakistan and Azerbaijan has been sharing cordial relations for the many decades. Importantly, Pakistan along with Turkey has extended unequivocal moral, political and diplomatic support to Azerbaijan on Karabakh conflict. Cooperation between both countries in the areas of trade, economy, military, education and cultural aspects is on continuous rise. Additionally, both countries are at the heart of many regional projects like One Belt One road and India’s North South International Corridor which lend these two countries importance. Moreover, the educational, academic, youth, cultural and Science Technology and Innovation exchange programs and economic projects can bring both brother countries closer than ever. Furthermore, the exchange of artists and the translation of various entertainment items like films, singing and dramas etc. of both the countries can bring the people more closely to each other.
Interviewed by Yunis Abdullayev
