Azernews.Az

BAKU - Two-day defense consultations were opened by the United States and Azerbaijan military officials in Baku on Monday.
The US embassy in Baku said that during the meetings, representatives of the Pentagon and Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Defense would review the full range of bilateral cooperation and define specific plans for the next year.
US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates said during his June 7 visit to Baku that his country welcomes Azerbaijan’s contribution to regional security, including collaboration in support of the allied efforts in Afghanistan. During the visit, he underlined the importance of Bilateral Defense Consultations as a mechanism to work out detailed plans for cooperation.
Security cooperation between the two countries was also high on agenda during US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s visit to Baku on July 4.
"Our soldiers have stood shoulder-to-shoulder in Kosovo, Iraq, and Afghanistan. And we deeply appreciate the commitment and sacrifice of the people and government, as we continue these important missions. Today the president and I discussed the ways that we can deepen that partnership," Clinton said during her meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.
Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Celeste Wallander is leading the US delegation for the Bilateral Defense Consultations. She is joined by US European Command and US embassy officials.
The defense consultations are held once a year, in Baku and Washington, alternately.