Azerbaijani defence minister hosts Turkish delegation for strategic talks

On December 23 Azerbaijan’s Defence Minister, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, met with a Turkish military delegation led by Army General Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu, Commander of the Turkish Land Forces.

The Turkish delegation first paid respects by visiting the graves of Azerbaijan's National Leader Heydar Aliyev and esteemed ophthalmologist and academician Zarifa Aliyeva at the Alley of Honour, Caliber.Az reports, citing Defence Ministry of Azerbaijan.

They also visited the Alley of Martyrs and the Turkish Martyrs' Cemetery and laid wreaths and flowers in tribute.

At a subsequent meeting hosted by the Ministry of Defence, Colonel General Hasanov welcomed Turkish guests and expressed his satisfaction with their visit. 

He highlighted the strong bilateral ties between Azerbaijan and Türkiye, particularly in the military sector, and stressed the importance of fully implementing the Shusha Declaration, which reflects the close relationship between the two nations.

Hasanov also underscored the strategic partnership between the two countries as vital for maintaining regional peace and stability.

In turn, General Bayraktaroğlu expressed gratitude for the warm reception, noting that regular exchanges between the two nations reflect their unbreakable friendship. He emphasized the importance of the Azerbaijani-Turkish High-Level Military Dialogue in improving cooperation between their armed forces.

The meeting also featured discussions on enhancing military collaboration and education, as well as other matters of mutual interest.

Later, Azerbaijan’s First Deputy Defence Minister and Chief of the General Staff, Colonel General Karim Valiyev, held further talks with the Turkish delegation. Discussions centred on conducting joint exercises to strengthen military professionalism and experience exchange.

A final meeting with Defence Ministry Adviser Colonel General Bakhtiyar Ersay focused on efforts to adapt the Azerbaijan Army to the Turkish Armed Forces model.

By Aghakazim Guliyev