BAKU: Azerbaijan and Turkey have engaged in high-level discussions aimed at enhancing military cooperation, as tensions persist in the region. Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Defense, hosted a delegation led by Turkish Air Force Commander, Army General Ziya Cemal Kadioglu, in Baku. The visit underscores the strategic alliance between the two nations and their commitment to joint military endeavors.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the Turkish delegation began their visit by paying respects at significant national sites, including the graves of Heydar Aliyev, a revered Azerbaijani leader, and other notable figures. The delegation also visited the Alley of Martyrs and the Turkish Martyrs’ Cemetery, where they laid wreaths and flowers.
During the meeting at the Ministry of Defense, Hasanov briefed the Turkish delegation on the operational situation along the Azerbaijani-Armenian border, pointing out concerns over Armenia’s rearmament. He reiterated the importance of the Azerbaijani
-Turkish strategic alliance, emphasizing military cooperation’s role in maintaining regional stability. General Kadioglu expressed appreciation for the hospitality and noted the robust military relationship that facilitates mutual learning and experience sharing.
Both sides discussed the necessity of analyzing global conflicts and modern warfare techniques. The dialogue also covered military-technical cooperation and regional security, highlighting the ongoing Azerbaijani-Turkish High-Level Military Dialogue Meeting, which has been a tradition for 15 years.
Additional meetings were held with Colonel General Karim Valiyev, Azerbaijan’s First Deputy Minister of Defense, and Colonel General Bakhtiyar Ersay, Adviser to the Minister of Defense. Discussions focused on the prospects of military cooperation and the importance of joint exercises for interoperability.
The Turkish delegation also visited the Azerbaijan Air Force headquarters, where discussions centered on military reforms and educational cooperation
to train skilled personnel. The visit included a briefing on the operations at the Air Force’s Central Command Post, further reinforcing the commitment to sustained military collaboration between the two countries.