Meeting with Ilham Aliyev

On January 11, Ilham Aliyev, the President of Azerbaijan, received Guido Crosetto, the Minister of Defense of Italy, the Press Office of the Azerbaijani President reported.

Hailing Italy's contribution to the expansion of Azerbaijan-NATO and Azerbaijan-European Union relations, the head of state noted that the two countries maintain successful cooperation in various fields, including energy. President Ilham Aliyev emphasized the effective functioning of the Southern Gas Corridor in this regard. President Ilham Aliyev expressed confidence that Guido Crosetto's visit to Azerbaijan would strengthen cooperation between the two countries’ relevant institutions and beyond. The head of state expressed his hope that the bilateral relations would continue to strengthen.

Minister Guido Crosetto noted that the Azerbaijani president's visits to Italy are always welcomed with great pleasure in his country. The Italian defense minister thanked President Ilham Aliyev for appreciating Italy's role in developing Azerbaijan-NATO and Azerbaijan-European Union relations. 

During the conversation, it was noted that there were good prospects for expanding cooperation in energy, construction, tourism, agriculture, the defense industry, and others.

Meeting with Azerbaijani defense minister

On January 12, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, the Minister of Defense of Azerbaijan, met with a delegation led by Guido Crosetto, the Minister of Defense of Italy, the Press Office of the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry reported.

The Azerbaijani minister of defense informed the delegation about the military-political situation arisen in the region after the Second-Karabakh War. It was emphasized that cooperation between Azerbaijan and Italy in the field of military education and within the framework of NATO continues rapidly, and these relations are highly valued. Colonel General Hasanov noted that this visit is the beginning of a new stage of development in the field of Azerbaijan-Italy military cooperation.

Crosetto, in his turn, expressed gratitude for the hospitality and highlighted the importance of developing military cooperation between the two countries. The significance of mutual visits in developing relations between the countries based on strategic partnership was emphasized.

During the meeting, the further expansion of cooperation between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Italy in the military, military-technical, and military-educational spheres and other issues of mutual interest were discussed.

At the end of the meeting, the defense ministers of both countries signed a protocol of intent on cooperation in training and education.