Azernews.Az

By Sara Rajabova

Azerbaijan’s close ally and fraternal country Turkey has vowed to make all efforts for liberation of the Azerbaijani territories from the Armenian occupation.

Chief of the General Staff of the Turkish Armed Forces, Army General Hulusi Akar has said Turkey will do its utmost for liberation of the occupied Azerbaijani territories, local media reported on October 30.

He emphasized that Turkey and Azerbaijan are one nation and two states.

“Everything will be good. Be sure of that. Turkey will do its utmost,” Akar said commenting on the question on joint steps by Turkey and Azerbaijan for the liberation of 20 percent Azerbaijan’s lands from the Armenian occupation.

A lengthy war in the early 1990s resulted with the occupation of over 20 percent of Azerbaijan's internationally recognized territory. Ankara has made clear that it wants Armenia to immediately and unconditionally leave the region in view of restoring Azerbaijan's territorial integrity and internationally recognized borders.

For that reason, the two fraternal countries regularly hold joint military exercises and strengthen their armed forces.

Commenting on Akar’s remarks, the Azerbaijani side said that the military cooperation between Azerbaijan and Turkey is aimed at liberating Azerbaijan’s occupied territories.

The Defense Ministry told Trend that such support comes from strong friendship and fraternal relations, as well as the traditional spirit of solidarity between the two countries that rely on shared historical and moral values.

“Azerbaijani national leader Heydar Aliyev’s famous slogan “One nation, two states” signifies a national conception characterizing Azerbaijan-Turkey relations, and it’s also indicative of the high-level bonds between the two countries in the political, economic, humanitarian, military, etc. areas,” the ministry said.

The ministry noted that under the bilateral action plan that is signed annually between the military authorities of Azerbaijan and Turkey with the support of Presidents Ilham Aliyev and Recep Tayyip Erdogan, live fire drills carried out by the ground forces, air forces, and other types of troops, mutual visits of high-ranking military representatives as well as further expansion of cooperation in the military, military education and military technical areas are taking places systematically.

It went on to add that the high-level Azerbaijani-Turkish military dialogue is held in order to coordinate military-strategic opportunities.

“The soldiers and armies of both countries have supported each other in hard times and established justice after destroying the enemy by force of arms. As our ancestors gained victory over the enemy, our armed forces decently continue this honorable duty. The expansion of military cooperation between Azerbaijan and Turkey is aimed at liberating Azerbaijan’s occupied territories and ensuring stability and peace in the region,” the ministry underlined.

Baku and Ankara enjoy strategic relations in many fields, including the military. Military cooperation between these two neighboring nations dates back to 1992 when they signed an agreement on military education. Since then, the Azerbaijani and Turkish governments have been closely cooperating in both defense and security fields.

In December 2010, both countries signed a range of treaties provisioning for military assistance should any of the party be attacked by third party. Based on numerous agreements on joint military exercises as part of bilateral progressive efforts towards military cooperation, the Azerbaijani and Turkish armed forces have hold regular drills, featuring various tactical and combat tasks so far.

The joint tactical exercises entitled "TurAz Qartali-2015" of the Azerbaijani and Turkish Armies were held in Azerbaijan in September. The exercises, which were conducted as part of an annual joint military plan, lasted until September 18. The joint military exercises TURAZ Qartalı, TURAZ Shahini and drills of the Land Forces are a good example of the level of cooperation between the armies of both countries.

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Sara Rajabova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @SaraRajabova

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