Azerbaijani defence minister takes part in military parade in Georgia PHOTO

Azerbaijani Defence Minister Col Gen Zakir Hasanov participated as an honoured guest in the military parade and military oath-taking ceremony of the servicemen held on the occasion of Georgia's Independence Day.

During his working visit to Georgia, the minister then visited the Heydar Aliyev Park in Tbilisi, laid a wreath at the monument to the national leader and paid tribute to his memory, Caliber.Az reports citing the Defence Ministry's website.

Notably, the Military Orchestra under Azerbaijani Military Institute named after Heydar Aliyev performed a concert program.

Earlier, it was reported that the Azerbaijani defence minister left for a working visit to Georgia at the invitation of his Georgian counterpart Juansher Burchuladze on May 26.

Georgia recognised the independence of Azerbaijan in 1991. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established on November 18, 1992. The Azerbaijani Embassy in Georgia has been operating since March 1996. The Georgian Embassy in Azerbaijan has been operating since February 1995.

Friendly and neighbourly relations between Azerbaijan and Georgia have historical roots; they have always been at a high level. “Agreement on strengthening friendship, cooperation and mutual security between the Republic of Azerbaijan and Georgia”, dated March 8, 1996, which laid the foundation for a strategic partnership between the two countries, and “Joint Declaration between the Republic of Azerbaijan and Georgia”, which was signed on the 4th of March 2004, are both important for the future development of constructive relations between Azerbaijan and Georgia.