Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan mull prospects for development of military cooperation PHOTO/VIDEO

A delegation led by the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Colonel General Ruslan Zhaksylykov paid a visit to Azerbaijan on October 6.

The Kazakh delegation first visited the graves of the National Leader of the Azerbaijani people Heydar Aliyev and prominent ophthalmologist, academician Zarifa Aliyeva in the Alley of Honour and laid flowers. In the Alley of Martyrs, the guests laid flowers at the graves of martyrs, who sacrificed their lives for the independence and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. They laid a wreath at the Eternal Flame monument, Caliber.Az reports citing the Azerbaijani Defence Ministry.

Then the Azerbaijan Defence Ministry hosted a solemn welcoming ceremony, and Azerbaijani and Kazakh defence ministers passed along the guard of honour. The national anthems of both countries accompanied by the military orchestra were performed. In accordance with the protocol, Zhaksylykov signed the “Book of Honour”.

At the expanded meeting, Azerbaijan Defence Minister, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov welcomed the guests and expressed his satisfaction with seeing them in Azerbaijan. The minister emphasised that the bilateral military cooperation between the two countries is based on friendship and fraternal relations.

The Kazakh defence minister expressed gratitude for the warm reception and hospitality congratulated his colleague on the restoration of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan, and prayed Almighty Allah for the repose of the souls of the martyrs and expressed deep condolences to their relatives.

Zhaksylykov expressed satisfaction with the current military cooperation between the two countries.

During the meeting, the sides emphasised the importance of the "Khazri-2023" Joint Tactical Exercises held in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea with warships and military personnel of the Naval Forces. The importance of the conducted exercises in terms of increasing the professionalism of servicemen was noted.

The exchange of mutual experience in the army development of both countries is of special importance.

The sides discussed the development prospects of cooperation between the two countries in the military, military-technical, and military educational fields, as well as other issues of mutual interest.

In the end, the "Bilateral Military Cooperation Plan between the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Kazakhstan for 2024" was signed.

After the meeting, the delegation attended the Cybersecurity Hub of the Azerbaijani Army's General Staff, the Central Command Posts of the Azerbaijani Defence Ministry and the Air Force. The visitors reviewed the general work there.