26 Nov 2019 17:46

NATO Military Committee chair thanks Azerbaijan for helping organize meeting with Russian General Staff chief

BAKU. Nov 26 (Interfax) - A meeting between NATO Military Committee Chairman Air Chief Marshal Stuart Peach and Russian Armed Forces General Staff Chief Valery Gerasimov was organized in Baku with the assistance of the Azerbaijani authorities.

At a meeting with Azerbaijani Defense Minister Zakir Hasanov, Peach thanked the Azerbaijani leadership for its warm reception and hospitality, as well as for facilitating the meeting with the Russian Armed Forces General Staff chief in Baku, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said on Tuesday.

Gerasimov is also in Baku. He has already met with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.

Hasanov discussed with Peach the Azerbaijani troops' possible participation in the NATO mission in Iraq.

"During the meeting, the sides discussed issues of operational training, conducting exercises, the development of military education, the achievement of interoperability of troops within the framework of cooperation plan between Azerbaijan and NATO, and held a detailed exchange of views on the prospects for the development of cooperation and possible contribution of our country to the NATO mission in Iraq," the press service for the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said.

NATO's political support to the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan contributes to the strengthening of Euro-Atlantic security and is important for peace and stability in the region, Hasanov said.

Peach, in turn, said that Azerbaijan is a reliable partner of NATO.

He commended the country's participation in countering terrorism and the professionalism of Azerbaijani peacekeepers in Afghanistan.