SAFAR ABIYEV: "ARMENIA’S WITHDRAWAL FROM THE OCCUPIED TERRITORIES IS AN IMPORTANT POINT OF AZERBAIJANI-TURKISH JOINT INTERESTS"

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
May 1 2008

Baku. Mahbube Gasimbeyli-APA. Azerbaijani Defense Minister
General-Colonel Safar Abiyev met on Thursday with the Commander of
Turkish Air Forces Army General Aydogan Babaoglu, Press-Service of
the Defense Ministry told APA.

Safar Abiyev underlined strong historical, spiritual and cultural
ties between Azerbaijan and Turkey and said Azerbaijan was always
seeing Turkey close together in rugged times. Speaking about the
present level of Azerbaijan-Turkish relationship, the minister said
there was successful cooperation in the military field as it was in
other fields. He emphasized the importance of further development
of the cooperation. He said Azerbaijani Army made a big progress in
the past several years through the modernized military training and
education. The minister said Azerbaijani Armed Forces have always
felt the support of Turkish Armed Forces. "There are many points
which unite Azerbaijan and Turkey and important point is the Armenian
withdrawal from the occupied Azerbaijani lands".

In his turn, Turkish General said he absolutely shared thoughts of
Azerbaijani defense Minister and Turkey would always be loyal to the
principle of "One Nation in Two States".