Azernews.Az

By Jamila Babayeva

Trilateral defense cooperation among Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Turkey was the focus of talks between Azerbaijani and Georgian Defense Ministers in Tbilisi on May 29.

The news was announced by Georgian Defense Minister Irakli Alasania at a joint briefing with his Azerbaijani counterpart General- Colonel Zakir Hasanov, who is on two-day visit to this country.

"Such cooperation will strengthen our armed forces and regional security," Alasania said, noting that there is already a successful example of cooperation between the three countries in ensuring the safety of pipelines.

Alasania stressed that relations can be intensified.

Trilateral defense cooperation between Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Turkey was also discussed in the Tbilisi summit of the presidents of these three countries on May 6.

The summit stressed that current relationships will not only continue, but also become more intensive and closer.

Alasania also focused on bilateral defense cooperation, noting that a successful experience of such cooperation between Georgia and Azerbaijan, which will continue further, exists.

He also offered Hasanov to train Azerbaijani servicemen in Sachkhere mountain training school.

Hasanov, in turn, expressed satisfaction with the level of the Georgian-Azerbaijani cooperation and expressed hope that it will continue at a higher level.

"We hope for the deepening of current cooperation," he said.

Commenting on Armenia's recent attempt to commit an act of sabotage on the contact line, Hasanov said these acts received an adequate response.

"Each time the opposite side will get an adequate response if provocations continue," he noted.

Mentioning Armenia's occupation of 20 percent of Azerbaijan's territory, he said Armenia must unconditionally return the occupied lands based on four UN resolutions.

"Azerbaijan is obliged to strengthen its armed forces. The Azerbaijani Armed Forces are equipped with modern weapons, apparatus, and equipment," he noted. "Azerbaijan is capable of liberating its occupied lands. However, the Azerbaijani government supports a peaceful resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict."

Hasanov further said Azerbaijan may also be interested in purchasing Georgian military equipment.

He said he would visit the Delta weapon production plant in Georgia and see the manufactured products.

During his visit, Hasanov also intends to visit the Krtsanisi National Training Center, where Georgian servicemen are getting prepared to participate in operations in Afghanistan.

Hasanov and Alasania will visit Batumi on May 30 and attend an event dedicated to the Policemen's Day in Georgia.