Baku: On April 27, First Deputy Minister of Defense, Chief of the General Staff of the Azerbaijan Army, Colonel General Karim Valiyev met with a delegation led by Commander of the Land Forces of the Republic of Trkiye, Army General Metin Tokel, who is on an official visit to the country, Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Defense told AZERTAC.
According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, the Turkish delegation began their visit by paying respects at the graves of National Leader of the Azerbaijani people Heydar Aliyev and prominent ophthalmologist, academician Zarifa Aliyeva in the Alley of Honors. They also visited the Alley of Martyrs and Turkish Martyrs’ Cemetery, laying flowers to honor the memory of the deceased.
The delegation’s itinerary included a visit to the Victory Park, where a wreath was placed in front of the Victory Monument. These gestures underscored the historical and ongoing ties between Azerbaijan and Trkiye.
During the meeting at the General Staff, Colonel General Karim Valiyev highlighted the steady development of Azerbaijani-Turkish military cooperation and stressed the importance of further expanding these relations. He specifically mentioned the ‘TurAz Qartali-2026’ joint flight-tactical exercise held in Azerbaijan with the participation of Azerbaijani and Turkish servicemen, underscoring its significance for regional security and bilateral cooperation.
Army General Metin Tokel expressed gratitude for the hospitality extended to him and emphasized the importance of mutual visits to further expand the strategic alliance. He noted that joint and multinational exercises incorporating modern technological innovations are vital for enhancing the professionalism of servicemen from both countries.
The discussions between the two sides covered various aspects of Azerbaijani-Turkish military cooperation, and they engaged in a broad exchange of views on joint activities and mutual interests, signaling a commitment to continue strengthening their military partnership.