DEFENSE MINISTER MEETS WITH HIS RUSSIAN COUNTERPART
Colonel-General Safar Abiyev pointed Azerbaijan attaches great importance to the steadily enhancing cooperation with Russia aimed at ensuring peace and stability in the Caucasus. “I hope this visit will give an impetus to military and military-technical cooperation between our countries”, he said.
Sergey Ivanov mentioned the recent intensification of the Russia-Azerbaijan interaction describing the declaration of 2006 the Year of Russia in Azerbaijan as yet another evidence of this.
Touching the current political and military situation in the South Caucasus, Azeri Defense Minister called it complicated and tense as a result of aggressive policy of Armenia. He expressed Azerbaijani side’s concern over gathering of the great amount of military weapon and ammunition in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan, transfer of the Russian military hardware from the basis in Georgia to Armenia, and joint Russia-Armenia military exercises. Colonel General Abiyev noted that the whole infrastructure in the occupied territories had been destroyed, and that that uncontrolled area is used for illegal purposes.” “Armenia will do pay for this. “Unless Armenia begins to observe international law norms, and release the occupied territories, Azerbaijan will take necessary steps to liberate its land,” he stated
The Minister expressed hope that Russia would exert its efforts towards resolution of the problem.
In turn, Russian Defense Minister Sergey Ivanov said that his country takes neutral stance as for the settlement of the conflict, and will intensify its efforts in this direction. “You will make sure of it soon,” he said.
At the meeting, the parties also exchanged views on the issues concerning international and regional security, fighting terrorism, bilateral military cooperation, including military personnel training, activities of the Analytical information center Daryal (Gabala Radar Station) and other ones of mutual interest.
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