Baku: On May 20, the First Deputy Minister of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Chief of the General Staff, Colonel General Karim Valiyev, welcomed the President of the Centre for Higher Defense Studies of the Italian National Defense University, Lieutenant General Stefano Mannino. This meeting marks a significant step in fostering military cooperation between Azerbaijan and Italy, as reported by APA citing the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the Italian delegation is currently visiting Azerbaijan. Their visit began with a solemn trip to the Alley of Shehids, where they paid homage to the graves of Azerbaijan’s heroic sons who sacrificed their lives for the country’s independence and territorial integrity. The delegation laid flowers as a tribute to the fallen heroes.
During their meeting at the General Staff of the Azerbaijan Army, Colonel General Valiyev expressed his pleasure in hosting the Italian delegation. He underscored the importance of Azerbaijani-Italian military educational cooperation, particularly in enhancing the capabilities of professional military personnel through experience exchange.
Lieutenant General Mannino, in turn, expressed his gratitude for the warm reception and hospitality. He emphasized the significance of organizing military courses, professional development programs, and joint initiatives in specialist training as pivotal elements of the bilateral military relationship.
The discussions also highlighted the crucial role of mutual visits in strengthening Azerbaijani-Italian military relations. Both parties engaged in a comprehensive exchange of views on several issues of mutual interest, aiming to further solidify their military cooperation.