Azernews.Az

By Sara Rajabova

Azerbaijani Defense Minister, Colonel Safar Abiyev met with the Slovenian Defense Minister Roman Jakic on August 29, who is on visit to Azerbaijan.

Abiyev noted the development of relations between Azerbaijan and Slovenia in recent years Abiyev and stressed that the military agreement signed between the two countries creates great opportunities for the development of cooperation.

During the meeting, Abiyev also spoke about the tense military and political situation in the region and the reasons of the delay of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict emerged in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Since a lengthy war in the early 1990s that displaced over one million Azerbaijanis, Armenian armed forces have occupied over 20 percent of Azerbaijan's internationally recognized territory, including Nagorno-Karabakh and seven adjacent regions. Long-standing efforts within the Minsk Group by US, Russian and French mediators have been largely fruitless so far.

In turn, Slovenian Defense Minister Jakic noted that he was aware of the reasons of the conflict and the factors that hinder its resolution.

During the meeting the sides emphasized the importance of expanding cooperation in the sphere of military education and the development of other relationships.

Jakic added that the 95th anniversary of the legendary Mikhailo - Mehdi Huseynzadeh will be solemnly celebrated in Slovenia next year. He invited Azerbaijani counterpart to take part in this event.

Lieutenant Mehdi Huseynzade was an Azerbaijani guerrilla and scout during World War II. He was posthumously awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union on April 11, 1957.

The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Azerbaijan to Slovenia Galib Israfilov also attended the meeting.

The two-day visit of the Slovenian Defense Minister took place upon the invitation of Azerbaijani Defense Minister Abiyev.

In addition, it is expected that Jakic will meet with senior Azerbaijani officials during his visit, which will wrap up on August 30.