Azerbaijan says Navy upgrade not aimed against other states
By Sara Rajabova
Work on the modernization of Azerbaijan's Navy carried out in the territorial waters of the country is not directed against other states, Azerbaijani Defense Ministry spokesman Eldar Sabiroglu told Trend news agency on September 4.
Commenting on the statement of Iranian Navy Commander, Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayari, Sabiroglu said the work carried out by Azerbaijan in its territorial waters is a sovereign right of the country.
"Armament, modernization of the Navy should not be considered as a step directed against another country," he said, adding that damage to peace and stability in the region was out of the question.
Several days ago Iranian Navy Commander Habibollah Sayari told journalists that some countries are interested in disturbing peace and stability in the region and that some neighboring countries jointly with other states are taking steps toward violating peace in the Caspian Sea.
Sayari said regarding the purchase of missiles by Azerbaijan from Israel that Iran is following and monitoring all actions in the Caspian Sea.
"The Caspian is a sea of peace and friendship," the Iranian Navy commander said, adding that the coastal nations should maintain peace and friendship in the basin.
The Caspian Sea is the largest enclosed inland body of water on Earth by area, variously classed as the world's largest lake or a full-fledged sea. It is in an endorheic basin and is bounded to the northwest by Russia, to the west by Azerbaijan, to the south by Iran, to the southeast by Turkmenistan, and to the northeast by Kazakhstan.
From time to time Iran holds military drills in the Caspian Sea.
In July, Iran staged naval exercises in the Caspian dubbed "Sustainable Security 2013". According to the Iranian media, the five-day drill was designed to protect naval routes, provide security for merchant ships and tankers and prepare military and port facilities for potential threats. The exercise meant to convey a message of peace and friendship to other countries, the reports said.