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'If You Want Peace, Prepare For War,' Says Turkish Defense Chief

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  • 'If You Want Peace, Prepare For War,' Says Turkish Defense Chief

    'IF YOU WANT PEACE, PREPARE FOR WAR,' SAYS TURKISH DEFENSE CHIEF

    asbarez
    Thursday, October 13th, 2011

    Turkish Defense Minister Ismet Yilmaz with Azerbaijani Defense Minister
    Colonel General Safar Abiyev

    BAKU--Citing the Turkish proverb, "if you want peace, prepare for war,"
    Turkey's Defense Minister on Thursday underscored the importance of
    military cooperation between Turkey and Azerbaijan as he kicked off
    talks in Baku.

    The Turkish delegation led by Defense Minister Ismet Yilmaz met
    with Azerbaijani Defense Minister, Colonel General Safar Abiyev,
    Azerbaijani Defense Ministry press service reported.

    The ministers exchanged view on the prospects of military cooperation
    between the two countries.

    Discussing the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the
    ministers said that the time has come to withdraw "Armenian occupation
    army from the Azerbaijani lands and restore the territorial integrity
    of Azerbaijan."

    Abiyev said that although negotiations continue for peaceful settlement
    of the conflict, there is no concrete result yet and Armenia continues
    its aggressive policy. He said, in such situation, there is no other
    way for Azerbaijan except preparing its armed forces seriously.

    "We are ready to support, cooperate and join in production with
    Azerbaijan Armed Forces," Yılmaz told journalists after visiting
    former Azerbaijani President Haydar Aliyev's grave in Baku.

    "A bilateral strategic cooperation agreement [between Turkey and
    Azerbaijan] has been signed. Turkish Prime Minister [Recep Tayyip
    Erdogan] and [Azerbaijani] President Ilham Aliyev have also decided
    on the establishment of a high advisory council," Yılmaz said.

    The council will be the basis for the relations between the two
    countries, Yılmaz said, adding that there were good and sound
    relations between Turkey and Azerbaijan.

    Prior to arriving in Baku, Yilmaz was interviewed by the Azeri news
    agency APA, saying that Turkey would like to engage in more defense
    production with Azerbaijan.

    "Turkey and Azerbaijan have a comprehensive military partnership based
    on long years and mutual confidence. Our relations, which started after
    Azerbaijan regained its independence, have developed with education,
    training and other programs. We continue making efforts to unite our
    potential in the defence industry. We can see that the relevant bodies
    of the two countries have a shared demand and desire," said Yilmaz.

    "As the Turkish proverb says: 'If you want peace, prepare for war.'
    The presence of factors threatening stability in the South Caucasus
    poses a serious threat to Azerbaijan's independence and regional
    peace," added Yilmaz who explained that approximately 5,000
    Azerbaijanis have received military education in Turkey to date

    "We aim to develop our military and defence relations with Azerbaijan.

    The education of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces in accordance with NATO
    standards, weapons and maintenance is very important for the region's
    stability. Turkey supports Azerbaijan's relations with NATO and other
    Western organizations. We think that Azerbaijan-NATO cooperation
    within Partnership for Peace is profitable and that this cooperation
    is significant from the point of view of Azerbaijan's economic and
    political interests," added Yilmaz.


    From: Baghdasarian
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