Trilateral defense cooperation with Georgia, Turkey highlighted
Atrilateral meeting was held in Baku with the participation of Minister of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Colonel-General Zakir Hasanov, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Turkey, Army General Yashar Guler and Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Georgia, Major-General Vladimir Chachibay on November 21.
An exchange of views took place on the development of cooperation in a trilateral format, regional stability, including ensuring the security of projects implemented in the region, etc. at the meeting.
Speaking at the event, Zakir Hasanov noted that the trilateral meeting of the leaders of the armies of Azerbaijan, Turkey and Georgia is a vivid example of cooperation between states at a strategic level.
"This meeting is held for the third time. The main goal of the meeting is to establish peace and stability in the region, to ensure the security of strategically important economic projects implemented by three friendly and neighboring states, and to deepen cooperation between the armed forces of countries," said Colonel-General.
Vladimir Chachibaya noted that relations of three countries have a long history. All three countries are strategic partners in the region, he said.
“Military cooperation within this partnership is also very important. Cooperation in ensuring security of economic projects in the region continues successfully," he added.
Yashar Guler said that today the army command of three friendly and neighboring countries gathered for an important meeting.
After holding bilateral and trilateral meetings with each other, sides will discuss the situation in the region. Military ties of three countries are improving and expanding. For the further development of military relations, which have reached a strategic level, sides will try to fulfil all the obligations imposed on countries, he said.
Representatives of the power structures of Azerbaijan, Turkey and Georgia signed a protocol on the results of a trilateral meeting in Baku.
At a press-conference held following the meeting, Zakir Hasanov informed that the next trilateral meeting of the defense ministers of Azerbaijan, Turkey and Georgia will be held in 2019 in Turkey.
The minister added that the date of the meeting will be clarified after the invitation of the Turkish side.
“The meeting testifies that the cooperation of the three fraternal countries is at a strategic level,” he said. “The meeting was aimed at ensuring the security of strategic, economic projects being implemented in the region, as well as rendering support for the peace and stability in the region.”
The high level of cooperation of the countries' armies in a trilateral format was confirmed at the meeting, he added.
Hasanov went on to say that the cooperation in the military, militarymedical and other spheres is planned to be further strengthened.
"Presently, tripartite command and staff exercises are being held in Turkey. The military personnel of the three countries have been involved in the exercises since 2018,” Hasanov said.
Vladimer Chachibaia, in turn, stated that Azerbaijan, Turkey and Georgia should join efforts to eliminate threats and problems emerging in the region.
“Our trilateral cooperation is very important. It means stability in the region. We will actively participate in joint exercises that are particularly important in the exchange of experience between our military personnel. At the same time, we will cooperate in educational and sports fields,” he said.
Commenting on the new document on military cooperation between the three countries, expert on international affairs Archil Sikharulidze told Trend that signing of the next document on military cooperation is the consolidation of an existing reality, where each country recognizes the importance of the other in ensuring peace and stability in an interdependent region.
Sikharulidze said that the trilateral format of cooperation presupposes the enhancement of stability and preservation of security in the region, and three countries are actively fighting radical groups, sharing intelligence information and other data. Each of the regional states should unite efforts to eliminate possible risks and threats in the region.
The expert noted the importance of the active participation of the parties in conducting joint exercises, for the exchange of experience between the military personnel of the three countries.
He concluded that trilateral cooperation is not limited only to the military sphere, three countries have prospects for close cooperation in trade, economic, educational and other spheres. Turkey is a member of NATO, and Georgia wants to join the alliance, and a lot has been done in this direction.
Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey that enjoy the friendly and fruitful relations are actively working to strengthen their trilateral military and defense cooperation in a sustainable manner.
In recent years, the three countries’ relations reached the level of strategic partnership and play an important role in ensuring peace and stability, sustainable development, the welfare of the three nations.