POLITICS
DEFENSE MINISTER OF AZERBAIJAN MEETS LATVIAN DEFENSE MINISTRY'S STATE SECRETARY EDGARS RINKEVICS
Mr. Rinkevics conveyed Latvian Defense Minister’s greetings to his Azerbaijani counterpart. He further noted that today, Azerbaijan and Latvia are making their first steps towards development of bilateral relations between the two countries’ Defense Ministries and stressed the signing agreement with the Azerbaijan defense Ministry would promote deepening of the bilateral cooperation.
Colonel-General Safar Abiyev told the guest of the establishment of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces, reorganization of military colleges and implemented reforms in this sphere. He noted that “Azerbaijan had been closely cooperating with NATO in the framework of the “Partnership for Peace” program”, and that quite a lot of representatives of the Azerbaijani armed forces are continuing their education at higher military schools of many countries.
Asked of the perspectives of the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict resolution, the Minister noted that the problem should be settled in accordance with the international legal norms. In this connection, Mr. Abiyev reminded of the four relevant resolutions adopted by the United Nations Security Council, as well as recognition by the US Department of State, Council of Europe, European Union, Presidents of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Ukraine of the occupation of the Azerbaijani lands by Armenia. We believe in widening of this process and triumph of justice, he said.
The parties have also exchange views on the existing military situation in the Southern Caucasus and Baltic regions.