On August 15Azerbaijan's Defence Minister, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov met with Russian Defence Minister, General of the Army Sergei Shoigu, who is paying a working visit to our country
Delegation of Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation first visited the Alley of Honors where paid tribute to national leader Heydar Aliyev and prominent ophthalmologist, academician Zarifa Aliyeva. Then guests visited the Alley of Martyrs to commemorate Azerbaijani heroes who sacrificed their lives for the country's independence and territorial integrity, laid wreaths and flowers to their graves.
After the official welcoming ceremony, General of the Army Sergei Shoigu visited the museum in the building of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, reflecting the life and activity of national leader Heydar Aliyev.
At the extended meeting held between the Defence Ministers of the two countries, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, welcomed the guests and stressed the importance of meetings of heads of the two states in the development of relations between Azerbaijan and Russia. The Minister also stressed that cooperation between the two countries is based on friendly relations and mutual trust, and that these relationships are constantly evolving.
Congratulating his Russian counterpart for the success hosting of the traditional competition "International army games - 2016", the Minister of Defense of Azerbaijan stressed the importance of enhancing the professionalism of servicemen of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces, who will continue to participate in this important competition in the future.
Defence Minister informed the guests about the fact of occupation of Azerbaijani territories as a result of military aggression of Armenia against Azerbaijan, as well as the problem of refugees and internally displaced persons, who left their homes and shelters as a result of this aggression.
General of the Army Sergei Shoigu, in turn, noted that the relations between our countries are based on the strong friendly relations, and that Russia is an important partner of Azerbaijan, he also stressed the importance of such meetings in the expansion of bilateral relations, military and military-technical cooperation.
Then the sides discussed the current state of military cooperation, prospects of development of relations in the military-technical sphere and in the sphere of military education and military medicine.
The Ministers had an extensive exchange of views on the problems of international and regional security, military cooperation in the Caspian Sea, including joint military exercises, the organization of mutual visits of experts to exchange experiences, as well as other issues of mutual interest.