DEFENSE MINISTER VISITS LITHUANIA
At Vilnius International Airport, the Azerbaijan Minister of Defense was met by Deputy of National Defense of Lithuania, Dr. Povilas Malakauskas and other officials.
On the 14th of June, a solemn welcoming ceremony was held at the Lithuanian National Defense Ministry, where a Guard of Honor was lined up in honor of Colonel General Safar Abiyev.
During the meeting held one-on-one and in a broaden format, the parties discussed the current military and political situations in the South Caucasus region and Baltic States, as well as Azerbaijan-Lithuania military relations, international cooperation and issues related to military reforms.
Touching upon Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict Nagorno-Karabakh, Defense Minister Abiyev expressed concern about unrecognizing so far of Armenian aggression against Azerbaijan by the global community and CIS countries. Although, Presidents of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Ukraine would state that Karabakh is Azerbaijani land, besides, the Council of Europe, the European Union and other international organizations would also express their stands in the matter, no one, however, officially recognized Armenia as a country-aggressor, he said.
In conclusion, the parties have signed the Agreement on Participation in Military Training at Lithuanian Military School between the Ministry of Defense of the Azerbaijan Republic and the Ministry of national Defense of the Republic of Lithuania.
On the same day, Minister of Defense of Azerbaijan Safar Abiyev was received by acting President of Lithuania Arturas Paulauskas. The latter updated the Minister on the successes Lithuania achieved in the sphere of defense and state building, and touching on the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict said: I believe Azerbaijan will fairly solve this conflict.
Colonel General Safar Abiyev told of Azerbaijan-Lithuania military relations, Azerbaijan-NATO links, large-scale economic reforms implemented in the country, as well as Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict and the current military situation in the South Caucasian region.
The Minister also met Deputy Chairman of the Lithuanian Seym /Parliament/Arturas Skarjius and Chairman of the Seym’s National Security and Defense Committee Evaldas Ignatavichus to exchange views on integration into European structures, existing socio-political situation in the regions, economic projects, NATO-Azerbaijan and NATO-Lithuania relations, join activity in the anti-terror coalition and other issues.
Sharing his impressions of the Lithuania meetings and touching upon the occupation of Azerbaijani lands by Armeniam Colonel General Safar Abiyev said in particular: violating the international legal norms, the state of Armenia ignores the United Nations Security Council’s four resolutions on the problem. Armenia is an aggressor, Azerbaijan’s patience is not unlimited, and the country is taking very decisive stance on liberation of its lands from Armenian occupation.
On the 15th of June, the delegation of Azerbaijan lead by the Defense Minister visited Lithuanian Yonas Zhematis Military Academy and Adolfas Ramanauskas Military Training Center.
On the same day, the delegation returned to motherland.
Other news in this section
