Azerbaijan, Türkiye discuss military co-op prospects, regional security

Azerbaijan’s Defense Minister, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov on Thursday the visiting delegation led by Commander of the Turkish Air Force, Army General Ziya Cemal Kadıoglu, who is on a visit.

First, the Turkish delegation visited the graves of the National Leader of Azerbaijani people Heydar Aliyev and prominent ophthalmologist, academician Zarifa Aliyeva in the Alley of Honor, as well as the Alley of Martyrs and Turkish Martyrs’ Cemetery. They laid wreaths and flowers and honored their blessed memory, News.Az reports, citing the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry.

During the meeting hosted Azerbaijan’s Defense Ministry, Minister Hasanov welcomed the guests and expressed his satisfaction with seeing them in Azerbaijan.

He informed the Turkish delegation about the current operational situation on the Azerbaijani-Armenian conditional border, highlighting that Armenia's rearmament negatively affects the preservation of peace and stability in the region.

Noting that the Azerbaijani-Turkish strategic alliance is based on friendly and fraternal relations, the minister emphasized the importance of further development of military cooperation between the two countries. He also expressed pride in the continuous progress of the fraternal country's defense industry.

In turn, Kadıoglu expressed gratitude for the sincere hospitality and noted the high level of military relations focused on expanding the mutual experience exchange between the two countries.

At the meeting, the necessity for joint analysis and study of conflicts taking place in the world recently and modern methods of warfare was emphasized. The sides exchanged views on military, military-technical cooperation, regional security and highlighted the positive results of the Azerbaijani-Turkish High-Level Military Dialogue Meeting, which has been ongoing for 15 years.

Then, First Deputy Defense Minister of Azerbaijan – Chief of the General Staff of the Azerbaijan Army, Colonel General Karim Valiyev and Adviser to the Minister of Defense, Colonel General Bahtiyar Ersay met with the Turkish delegation.

During the meetings held at the General Staff, the prospects for the development of military cooperation were discussed, and the importance of conducting joint exercises to exchange experience and ensure interoperability between troops was noted.

As part of the visit, Turkish representatives visited the Azerbaijan Air Force’s headquarters. Following the official welcoming ceremony, Deputy Defense Minister of Azerbaijan – Commander of the Air Force, Lieutenant General Namig Islamzade met with the guests.

At the meeting, the sides discussed reforms carried out in the Azerbaijan Army and development of military relations, as well as highlighted the necessity for continuing cooperation in the field of military education to train professional personnel.

The Turkish delegation was informed about the work done at the Air Force’s Central Command Post.

News.Az