Azerbaijan, Georgia ink military co-op plan for 2017

Azerbaijan, Georgia ink military co-op plan for 2017
# 16 December 2016 13:22 (UTC +04:00)

A cooperation plan for 2017 was signed between the defense ministries of Azerbaijan and Georgia.

The document was signed during the meeting between Azerbaijani Defense Minister, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov and Georgian Defense Minister Levаn Izoria in Baku Dec. 16.

Prior to the meeting, the Georgian delegation visited the Alley of Honor to lay a wreath at the grave of Azerbaijan’s national leader Heydar Aliyev. The delegation also laid flowers at the grave of prominent ophthalmologist, academician Zarifa Aliyeva.

Then the guests visited the Alley of Martyrs to commemorate Azerbaijani heroes who sacrificed their lives for the country's independence and territorial integrity, laid wreaths and flowers to their graves and to the "Eternal Flame" monument.

Later on, an official welcoming ceremony was held for the Georgian minister.

The Georgian defense minister passed along the guard of honor and national anthems of both countries were played. "Book of Honor" was signed in accordance with the protocol.

First, the ministers of the two countries held a one-on-one meeting, which was followed in an expanded format.

After welcoming the guests, Hasanov congratulated his Georgian counterpart on his new appointment and wished him success in his activities.

Minister Hasanov, recalling that the military cooperation between our countries is being carried out within the framework of programs and trainings conducted both bilaterally and through NATO as well as in the format of Azerbaijan-Turkey-Georgia's military structures, said that bilateral and trilateral exercises are planned to hold next year as well.

Speaking about the high level of strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and Georgia, the minister stressed that this plays an important role not only in the development of our countries, but also in ensuring security in the whole region.

Hasanov thanked the Georgian people for support of Azerbaijan within the international organizations, the recognition of the territorial integrity of our state and Nagorno-Karabakh as an integral part of Azerbaijan, stressed that Azerbaijan also recognizes and supports the territorial integrity of Georgia.

Colonel General Hasanov expressed confidence that the cooperation plan for 2017 between the military structures of our countries will strengthen our fruitful cooperation.

The Azerbaijani minister informed the guest that Armenia, as the occupying country, creates a major threat to regional security and provides ongoing support for separatism on the state level.

In turn, Izoria, expressing satisfaction with his first official visit to Azerbaijan emphasized that this is a clear example of the high level of cooperation between our countries.

Noting the important role of friendly relations of heads of states in the development of relations between the two countries, the Georgian defense minister stressed the importance of such meetings in terms of enhanced cooperation.

Izoria also said that Georgia is ready to take part in joint military exercises that will be held between Azerbaijan and Turkey next year.

The sides exchanged views on the prospects of cooperation in the military sphere and in the field of military education, the possibility of conducting joint military exercises, the organization of working meetings and other issues of mutual interest.

Army

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