Azernews.Az

By Mushvig Mehdiyev

In view of strengthening its military capacity and flexibility as well as build strong ties with its regional partners, Azerbaijan has always been keen to cooperate with foreign powers.

Periodical visits to Azerbaijan of top foreign military brass has helped to boost the country's security and defense abilities, allowing Azerbaijan military forces to benefit from different military experiences and influences.

Only recently, Azerbaijani Defense Minister, Zakir Hasanov and Slovenian President Borut Pahor met in Ljubljana to discuss bilateral military and defense cooperation between Azerbaijan and Slovenia.

Colonel General Hasanov's visit to Slovenia, which started on March 12, has reportedly contributed significantly to the strengthening in bilateral relations in between the two friendly countries ahead of further cooperation projects.

Hailing the fast pace of developments made towards stronger ties, Hasanov particularly stressed the importance of joint participation of the Azerbaijani and Slovenian army units in international operations and missions.

Negotiations over the regional and security matters were also on the agenda of the meeting.

Unlike the various issues on agenda in talks with Pahor, prospects for military cooperation between Azerbaijan and Slovenia was at the forefront of discussions between Hasanov and his Slovenian counterpart Janko Veber.

Discussions have particularly been dedicated to cooperation in the military sphere between the two countries during one-on-one meeting of the ministers and an expanded meeting of delegations.

Hasanov signed the Book of Honor of the Slovenian Defense Ministry following the consecutive meetings.

After sitting with the Slovenian officials, Hasanov paid a visit to the tomb of the Hero of the Soviet Union and Slovenia, Mehdi Huseynzade, a prominent guerilla of the World War II, and laid a wreath at his monument in Cepovan, Slovenia.

Hasanov also visited Mehdi Huseynzade’s memorial museum in Sempas.

Huseynzade, nicknamed Mikhailo, was a well-known Azerbaijani guerilla fighter during the Great Patriotic war, who destroyed several German facilities and collected significant intelligence information throughout the war.

After being ambushed by German forces near the town of Vitovlje, Slovenia, Mikhailo killed himself with his last bullet after killing 25 German soldiers.

Hasanov's next destination was the Azerbaijani-Slovenian Friendship Society where he met with society's representatives.

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