Azerbaijan, Hungary cement bilateral defence cooperation PHOTO/VIDEO

Azerbaijan and Hungary are further strengthening their military cooperation as Azerbaijan's Minister of Defence, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, hosted a high-ranking delegation led by General Dr. Gábor Böröndi, Chief of the General Staff of the Hungarian Defence Forces. 

The official visit, aimed at bolstering bilateral defence ties, included a series of ceremonies and discussions on the future of Azerbaijani-Hungarian military relations, Caliber.Az reports citing Ministry of Defence of Azerbaijan.

The Hungarian delegation is on an official visit to Azerbaijan at the invitation of Colonel General Karim Valiyev, Azerbaijan's First Deputy Defence Minister and Chief of the General Staff of the Azerbaijan Army.

The delegation’s visit began with a solemn tribute to Azerbaijan’s historical figures. They paid respects at the Alley of Honor, where they laid wreaths at the graves of National Leader Heydar Aliyev and renowned ophthalmologist, academician Zarifa Aliyeva. Following this, the Hungarian delegation visited Victory Park, where they also laid a wreath in front of the Victory Monument, further honoring Azerbaijan’s national heritage.

The sides then convened at the Ministry of Defence, where Colonel General Hasanov underscored the strong ties of military cooperation between Azerbaijan and Hungary. He praised Hungary's unwavering support for Azerbaijan, especially in the defence sector, and highlighted the extensive progress made in the development of the Azerbaijani military. The Minister also affirmed confidence in the potential for further enhancing the strategic partnership between the two countries.

In his remarks, General Dr. Böröndi emphasized the importance of such visits, noting that they play a crucial role in deepening the relations between Azerbaijan and Hungary, which are based on mutual respect and trust. Both parties discussed the future prospects for bilateral military cooperation and exchanged views on several areas of shared interest.

An official welcome ceremony was held at the General Staff of the Azerbaijan Army, where the Chiefs of Staff of both countries exchanged the guard of honor. The national anthems of Azerbaijan and Hungary were performed, and General Dr. Böröndi signed the Book of Honor in line with diplomatic protocol.

Later in the day, Colonel General Karim Valiyev met with his Hungarian counterpart, and the two sides engaged in detailed discussions on the current status of Azerbaijani-Hungarian military cooperation. They agreed on the importance of continued exchange of experiences and joint military exercises aimed at enhancing the professionalism and capabilities of their armed forces.

By Vafa Guliyeva