Azerbaijan Defense Minister meets with EU Special Representative for South Caucasus

On March 12, the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov met with a delegation headed by European Union Special Representative for the South Caucasus Toivo Klaar, Report informs, citing the Defense Ministry of Azerbaijan.

The Minister of Defense noted that the Patriotic War, which began with a counter-offensive operation, ended with a glorious victory of the Azerbaijan Army under the command of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Mr. Ilham Aliyev, and Azerbaijani lands were liberated from the occupation. Informing the guest about the successful military operations carried out by the Azerbaijan Army, the minister emphasized that the combat experience of our army gained in the 44-day war is being studied by the armies of many countries of the world and the international military experts.

Having seriously condemned the regular shelling of Ganja, Barda, Tartar, and other settlements by the armed forces of Armenia, as well as the targeted killing of the civilian population of Azerbaijan during the war, Colonel General Hasanov emphasized the importance of making a proper assessment about this issue and taking of relevant measures by the international community against the perpetrators who committed these acts.

Emphasizing that Azerbaijan's settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict which lasted for almost 30 years through the liberation of the occupied territories will contribute to stability in the South Caucasus region, Hasanov also informed the guest about the activities of the Azerbaijan Army in liberated territories in the post-war period.

Klaar, in turn, noted that he has been closely keeping watch over all armed clashes between Armenia and Azerbaijan, in particular, the war that took place last autumn, and emphasized the importance of maintaining stability in the South Caucasus region. He also stressed that the European Union supports all steps taken in this field.

Expressing his condolences to the families of servicemen and civilians who died as Shehids (martyrs) in the Patriotic War, T. Klaar stressed that the Azerbaijan Army has gained significant experience in this war.

The parties also discussed the new situation in the region, post-war conditions, and a number of other issues.