Azerbaijan, Latvia discuss prospects for expanding military cooperation

Riga, July 3, AZERTAC. Azerbaijani Defense Minister Zakir Hasanov has today started his official visit to Latvia. The Minister met Latvian President-elect, current Defense Minister Raimonds Vejonis. The two ministers passed along the ceremonial guard of honor. The anthems of the both countries were performed. Then expanded meeting was held with the participation of the two delegations. The Azerbaijani Defense Minister congratulated Raimonds Vejonis on the occasion of his election as the President of the Republic of Latvia and wished him success in his activities. They discussed regional security, development of the Armed Forces and expanding military cooperation between the two countries, and underlined the importance of the cooperation on all fronts, as well as in the military field. Mr. Hasanov said the country had good experience in the field of bilateral cooperation. He noted that the expansion of the military cooperation would contribute to the strengthening of the Armed Forces. Mr. Vejonis said Latvia has always recognized the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, and underlined that he supports the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict within the sovereignty of Azerbaijan. They also discussed the military-political situation in the South Caucasus region, the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, conditions of the Azerbaijani refugees and IDPs, as well as other issues of mutual concern between Azerbaijan and Latvia. Commander of the National Armed Forces Raimonds Graube was also present at the meeting.