The Minister of Defense of Azerbaijan, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, met today with the delegation in Azerbaijan, headed by the European Union’s special representative for the South Caucasus, Toivo Klaar. This was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Defense.
According to the report, at the meeting, the Minister of Defense stressed that the Patriotic War, which began with the counter-offensive operation, ended with a glorious victory of the Azerbaijani army under the command of the President of Azerbaijan, Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces Ilham Aliyev, and our lands were liberated from occupation.
Informing the guest about the successful military operations carried out by the Azerbaijani army, the minister noted that the combat experience of our army, acquired during the 44-day war, is being studied by the armies of many countries of the world and international military experts.
Strictly condemning the regular shelling by the armed forces of Armenia of Ganja, Barda, Tartar and other settlements, as well as the targeted killing of the civilian population of Azerbaijan during the war, Colonel-General Z. Hasanov stressed the importance of a proper assessment of this issue and the adoption of appropriate measures by the international community against persons who committed these acts.
Noting that the solution by Azerbaijan of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, which lasted for about 30 years, by liberating the occupied territories will contribute to stability in the South Caucasus region, Z. Hasanov also informed the guest about the activities carried out by the Azerbaijani army in the liberated territories in the post-war period.
In turn, T. Klaar, noting that he closely followed all armed clashes between Armenia and Azerbaijan, in particular, the war that took place last autumn, stressed the importance of maintaining stability in the South Caucasus region. He also noted that the European Union supports all steps taken in this direction. Expressing his condolences to the families of servicemen and civilians who became martyrs in the Patriotic War, T. Klaar noted that the Azerbaijani army has accumulated significant experience in this war.
The parties discussed the new situation in the region, post-war conditions, and a number of other issues.