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'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
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