Azerbaijan’s Defence Minister visits Georgia

Azerbaijan's Defense Minister, Colonel-General Zakir Hasanov, is on an official visit to Tbilisi.

Today Hasanov met his Georgian counterpart Irakli Alasania and discussed bilateral cooperation between Georgia and Azerbaijan in the defensive sector, said the press office of the Georgian Ministry of Defence.

Alasania believed Azerbaijan was not only a historic neighbour of Georgia but "the most important strategic partner in the region”.

"Georgia and Azerbaijan have being further deepening the level of cooperation in the defence sector and I would like to stress that it is only directed towards the national security of two countries,” Alasania said after meeting Hasanov.

The parties also discussed regional security issues, and Hasanov said Georgia and Azerbaijan’s international perspectives were similar.

"Georgia and Azerbaijan have good economic relations and we would like to further deepen cooperation in terms of defence and make these relations more profitable,” Hasanov said.

During the meeting, the two Ministers focused on sharing military knowledge and experience, in technical, military police and education.

Alasania offered Hasanov the opportunity for Azerbaijani military personnel to undergo training exercises at Sachkhere Mountain School in west Georgia.

Hasanov expressed gratitude to Georgia for supporting Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity.

Before the meeting ended, Alasania informed his Azerbaijan counterpart about Georgia’s role in ISAF mission in Afghanistan and the country’s desire to join NATO.