Official: Azerbaijan aims for lasting peace in South Caucasus

An official reception was held at NATO headquarters to mark the 108th anniversary of the establishment of the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan, bringing together senior NATO officials, diplomats and military representatives.

According to the Azerbaijani Mission to NATO, the event was attended by NATO Secretary-General's Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia and Deputy Assistant Secretary-General for Partnerships Ambassador Kevin Hamilton, ambassadors and military representatives from NATO member states and partner countries, representatives of NATO's International Secretariat and other senior guests, Caliber.Az reports via local media. 

Addressing the reception, Head of the Azerbaijani Mission to NATO Jafar Huseynzada said Armed Forces Day serves both to honour the service and sacrifice of Azerbaijani military personnel and to reaffirm the country's commitment to its independence, sovereignty and statehood.

Huseynzada said Azerbaijan's independence had been achieved at a high cost and stressed that preserving it depends on strong state institutions, national unity and a professional military.

He also highlighted the role of Azerbaijan's late national leader Heydar Aliyev in establishing the foundations of the modern armed forces, adding that the country's military development policy is being continued under President and Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev.

According to Huseynzada, Azerbaijan's goals now extend beyond restoring its sovereignty and territorial integrity to securing lasting peace in the South Caucasus. He described progress in the Azerbaijan-Armenia peace process at the recent Washington summit as an important step toward that objective.

Huseynzada also noted that Azerbaijan's partnership with NATO has developed over more than three decades on the basis of mutual respect and shared interests. He said Azerbaijan has made significant contributions to NATO-led operations, particularly in Kosovo and Afghanistan.

By Sabina Mammadli