Azerbaijan, Türkiye deepen strategic ties through military education cooperation PHOTO

The First Deputy Minister of Defence of the Republic of Azerbaijan – Chief of the General Staff of the Azerbaijan Army, Colonel General Karim Valiyev, met with a high-level delegation headed by the Deputy Rector of the Turkish National Defence University, Professor Talat Canbolat, as part of an official foreign study trip.

As part of their visit, the Turkish delegation paid tribute to Azerbaijan’s national heritage by visiting the Alley of Honour, where they laid flowers at the graves of the National Leader of the Azerbaijani people, Heydar Aliyev, and renowned ophthalmologist and academician, Zarifa Aliyeva, Caliber.Az reports, referring to the Azerbaijani Defence Ministry.

The delegation also visited the Alley of Martyrs and the Turkish Martyrs’ Cemetery, where they honoured the memory of the fallen by laying flowers in solemn remembrance.

The official meeting took place at the General Staff of the Azerbaijan Army. Colonel General Karim Valiyev warmly welcomed the delegation and expressed his satisfaction at hosting them in Azerbaijan. He underscored the deep-rooted historical, cultural, and fraternal ties that form the foundation of the Azerbaijan–Türkiye relationship. Colonel General Valiyev highlighted that bilateral cooperation, which has reached the level of a strategic partnership, plays a significant role in promoting regional stability, development, and security.

Colonel General Valiyev further noted that, in addition to defence and political collaboration, the growing ties in the field of military education provide fertile ground for the implementation of innovative and forward-looking projects. He stressed that such cooperation is a key component in enhancing the professional development of military personnel in both countries.

Professor Talat Canbolat, in turn, expressed gratitude for the cordial welcome and hospitality extended to the delegation. He emphasised the value of reciprocal visits and dialogue in further strengthening bilateral cooperation in military education. Professor Canbolat also noted the critical importance of sharing scientific knowledge and institutional experience to support the development of modern military education systems.

Following the meeting at the General Staff, the Turkish delegation held discussions with the Adviser to the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Colonel General Bahtiyar Ersay. During the meeting, the two sides conducted a thorough exchange of views on ongoing and prospective joint projects aimed at the training of professional military personnel. In addition to education and training matters, the discussions covered a range of other topics of mutual interest in the sphere of bilateral defence cooperation.

By Tamilla Hasanova