PRESIDENT OF AZERBAIJAN CONNECTS INCREASE IN MILITARY
EXPENSES OF AZERBAIJAN WITH REDEPLOYMENT OF RUSSIAN MILITARY BASES
FROM GEORGIA TO ARMENIA
YEREVAN, JUNE 27. ARMINFO. ‘The reason on the increase in the military
expenses of Azerbaijan is connected with redeployment of Russian
military bases from Georgia to Armenia.’ President of Azerbaijan
Ilham Aliyev stated Saturday at a ceremony of graduation of the
students of Higher Military College after Heydar Aliyev, Azerbaijani
sources report.
Despite deployment of the armamemtn to the Russian bases in
Armenia and not to Armenia, this step require adequate steps,
and Azerbaijan made them, Aliyev says. In his words, expenses for
military sphere in 2003 were 135 mln USD, in 2004 – 175 mln USD
and in 2005 this sum reached 300 mln USD, having increased 70% as
against the previous year. Aliyev says expenses for defense power
will increase constantly. ‘Azerbaijani Army is the strongest in the
South Caucasus at present. We have achieved our prevalence and will
strengthen it and maintain,’ Aliyev says. He thinks it necessary “to
put an end to Armenian aggression.” ‘The rival is to be aware that
Azerbaijani army can mobilize its forces every moment and liberate the
occupied territories,’ Aliyev says. The mediators have been speaking
of compromises for long years, but the greatest compromise of our
country is that we have remained adherent to peaceful settlement for
many years, the Azerbaijani president says for conclusion.