POLITICS
Azerbaijani, Turkish and Georgian defence ministers meet in Nakhchivan
Nakhchivan, August 19 (AZERTAC). Defence ministers Zakir Hasanov of Azerbaijan, Irakli Alasania of Georgia and Ismet Yilmaz of Turkey have had a trilateral meeting in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.
Speaking to a press conference following the gathering, Minister Hasanov said the defence ministers discussed military-political situation and security in the region, and explored ways of developing cooperation in the military area. “We decided to expand out meetings in this format and conduct trilateral meetings every six months in Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey.”
Mr. Hasanov said the three ministers emphasized the importance of conducting joint exercises with the aim of increasing combat readiness of the armed forces of their countries. “We also noted the appropriateness of organizing joint workshops and conferences and building a trilateral format in military educational and military-technical areas, and conducting trilateral oil and gas pipeline security exercises. To this end groups consisting of the three countries` experts will meet on a regular basis.”
Turkish Minister Yilmaz said: “As defence ministers of the countries that share common views on all South Caucasus-related issues, we considered the development of our cooperation, and discussed regional processes.” “We particularly agreed that necessary steps should be taken to ensure peace, stability and lasting development in the South Caucasus,” said Mr. Yilmaz.
He said Turkey fully supported independence and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and Georgia, stressing the importance of solving regional conflicts by peaceful means and within the territorial integrity of countries.
Mr. Yilmaz said cooperation of Turkey, Azerbaijan and Georgia made the region “more attractive”. “Huge projects like Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan, Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum and Baku-Tbilisi-Kars have attracted the world`s attention.”
Georgian Minister Alasania said his country considered both Azerbaijan and Turkey its “important strategic partners”. “From this point of view the trilateral meeting of the defence ministers is of immense significance to Georgia.”
“During the meeting we focused on the issue of ensuring security of important regional economic projects.”
“Through our cooperation we try to find a solution to regional conflicts in a peaceful manner and within the territorial integrity of countries, and ensure peace and stability in the region,” said Mr. Alasania.