Armenia, Pakistan establishing diplomatic relations 

ArmInfo.  Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar signed a joint communique on the establishment of diplomatic relations between Armenia and Pakistan. This was reported by the press service of the Armenian Foreign  Ministry.

The signing ceremony took place within the framework of the SCO  summit in Tianjin, China. By signing the communique, Armenia and  Pakistan establish diplomatic relations.

The governments of the two countries strive to develop friendly  relations in accordance with the UN Charter, including the principles  of mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity,  non-aggression, non-interference in each other's internal affairs,  equality, mutual benefit and peaceful coexistence.

The Governments of Armenia and Pakistan agreed to exchange  Representatives and provide each other with all necessary assistance  for the implementation of diplomatic relations on a reciprocal basis  in accordance with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of  1961 and international customary practices.

Before signing, the Ministers held a meeting where they expressed  satisfaction with the decision to establish diplomatic relations  between Armenia and Pakistan and discussed prospects for developing  cooperation in a bilateral format.

Referring to regional developments, Ararat Mirzoyan presented  Armenia's efforts to establish lasting peace in the South Caucasus  and in this context emphasized that peace has been established  between Armenia and Azerbaijan. In this regard, Deputy Prime Minister  and Foreign Minister of Pakistan Ishaq Dar congratulated the Foreign  Minister of Armenia. Minister Mirzoyan also mentioned other  agreements reached in Washington on August 8. The Foreign Ministers  of Armenia and Pakistan exchanged views on issues of interaction at  multilateral platforms, including the UN and the SCO.

Pakistan has not previously recognized the independence of Armenia.  This was due to Pakistan's pro- Azerbaijani position on the  Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.