Armenia

Ceasefire violation

On December 4, the Armenian Defense Ministry reported that at approximately 2:35 PM [local time], the Azerbaijani armed forces discharged fire against the Armenian combat position in Bardzruni, Vayots Dzor Province. Consequently, a serviceman of the N military unit of MoD of Armenia, Gerasim Avetik Arakelyan, sustained a fatal gunshot wound.

Armenian delegation participates in UN Peacekeeping Ministerial.

On December 5-6, a delegation led by Armenia's Deputy Minister of Defence Arman Sargsyan participated in the UN Peacekeeping Ministerial held in Accra, Ghana. This biennial event, organized by the UN, serves as a platform for comprehensive discussions on international peacekeeping issues. 

Deputy Minister Arman Sargsyan delivered a speech during the meeting, reiterating Armenia's commitment to continuous training and deployment of forces for international peacekeeping missions.

On the sidelines of the event, Arman Sargsyan engaged in a working meeting with Rachel Schiller, the US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Programs and Operations, and Jennifer Pulliam, Director of Global Peace Operations Initiative. The meeting covered various aspects of bilateral cooperation.

In a brief meeting with the UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Arman Sargsyan presented the comprehensive programs implemented in Armenia for the preparation of international peacekeeping forces.

Azerbaijan

Ceasefire violation allegations

On December 4, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry noted that information disseminated by the Armenian Defense Ministry that the Azerbaijan Army Units allegedly opened fire on the positions of the Armenian armed forces in the direction of the Sultanbay settlement of Pashali region, as a result of which one serviceman was killed, is not true and completely false. 

Azerbaijani delegation visits Egypt

On December 4, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, the Minister of Defense of Azerbaijan, and other ministry officials visited Egypt to participate in the EDEX 2023 exhibition at the invitation of the Minister of Defense of the Arab Republic of Egypt. Colonel General Z. Hasanov took part in the opening ceremony of the international defense exhibition EDEX 2023. Azerbaijan Defense Minister got acquainted with weapons, vehicles, and military equipment exhibited by the enterprises of the Azerbaijan Ministry of Defense Industry, as well as the companies TUSAS, ROKETSAN, ASELSAN, SARSILMAZ, CANIK, BAYKAR of Türkiye at the international defense expo EDEX 2023.

On the same day, Colonel General Hasanov participated in the EDEX 2023 international defense exhibition and watched with interest the modern weapons and military equipment exhibited at the booths of the Italian company Leonardo, as well as the Egyptian ARMADA and AOI companies.

On December 5, Hasanov met with Egypt's Defense Minister, Colonel General Mohamed Ahmed Zaki. The meeting discussed the current state and development prospects of cooperation between the two countries in the military and military-technical fields, as well as other issues of common interest.

Iran's Navy delegation on a visit to Baku

On December 5, Vice Admiral Subhan Bakirov, the Commander of the Azerbaijani Naval Forces, met with Rear Admiral Shahram Irani, the Chief of the Navy of the Army of the Islamic Republic of Iran, who is on a visit to Azerbaijan. The prospects for developing cooperation between Azerbaijani and Iranian naval sailors were discussed at the meeting held in the headquarters building of the Azerbaijani Naval Forces. The importance of conducting joint exercises in the Caspian Sea to increase the professionalism of military personnel as well as to exchange mutual experience was emphasized. In the meeting, detailed views were exchanged on several issues of mutual interest.

On December 6, Azerbaijan Defense Minister Colonel General Zakir Hasanov received Rear Admiral Shahram Irani. The Minister of Defense noted that Azerbaijan-Iran relations are based on ancient historical roots and emphasized the importance of mutual visits in terms of further development of military cooperation. During the meeting, detailed views were exchanged on the development prospects of military cooperation between the two countries, regional security, and several other topics.

Azerbaijan and Turkey continue to expand military cooperation

On December 6, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov met with Army General Irfan Ozsert, the 2nd Chief of the General Staff of the Turkish Armed Forces, who was on an official visit to Azerbaijan to participate in the 15th Meeting of the Azerbaijani-Turkish High-Level Military Dialogue. Confidence was expressed that cooperation based on mutual trust, confidence, and support between the two countries will advance from now on. It was noted that the strategic alliance between Azerbaijan and Türkiye is based on friendship and fraternal relations. The meeting discussed prospects of the development of cooperation between Azerbaijan and Türkiye in military, military-technical, military-educational, and other fields, as well as regional security and several issues of mutual interest. Then, the First Deputy Minister of Defense – Chief of the General Staff of the Azerbaijan Army, Colonel General Karim Valiyev, held a meeting with the Turkish delegation. At the meeting held at the General Staff, it was noted that the strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and Türkiye is developing. The importance of increasing the intensity of joint exercises held to further improve the knowledge and skills of the military personnel of both countries was emphasized.

On the same day, Baku hosted the 15th Meeting of the Azerbaijani-Turkish High-Level Military Dialogue. Deputy of the Minister of Defense of Azerbaijan, Director General Mr. Agil Gurbanov, held a meeting with the delegation led by the 2nd Chief of the General Staff of the Turkish Armed Forces, Army General Irfan Ozsert. Confidence was expressed that the joint exercises and mutually implemented activities would be intensified in the future. Also, extensive discussions were held on the current state of cooperation and development prospects, including military and military-technical issues. The Medal of the Republic of Azerbaijan, "For services in the field of military cooperation," was presented to Army General I. Ozsert.

On December 8, the 14th Staff Talks were held between representatives of both countries' Air Forces. Azerbaijani and Turkish Air Forces representatives discussed issues of military cooperation in the city of Ankara. During the talks, the importance of mutual exchange of experience was noted to increase further the professionalism of servicemen from both countries, and a detailed exchange of views on various issues was held.

Local trainings

On December 5, Air Defense Units conducted combat firing. During the practical firing, air targets of imaginary enemies were detected and destroyed with high precision using anti-aircraft missile complexes. The military personnel demonstrated high professionalism and accomplished the assigned combat tasks.

Georgia

Meeting with Norway's new ambassador

On December 5, Georgian Defense Minister Juansher Burchuladze held an introductory meeting with Norway's new ambassador. Burchuladze hosted the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Norway in Georgia Bergliot Hovland in the Ministry of Defense. 

The meeting focused on the importance of cooperation formats with the EU and NATO, helping to enhance reciprocity and the transformation process.

The importance of successfully implementing the NATO-Georgia Essential Package (SNGP) as the most effective practical cooperation mechanism was noted. The minister thanked the Norwegian side for the contribution made to the development of one of the important projects of SNGP - NATO-Georgia Training and Evaluation Center (JTEC) and the financial contribution made to the Trust Fund.

The talks touched upon fruitful bilateral cooperation between Georgian and Norwegian defense agencies, including joint drills and training between national guards and various aspects of military education.

Meeting with the Deputy Secretary of State of the United States of America

On December 6, Juansher Burchuladze met with Joshua Huck, the Deputy Secretary of State of the United States of America. At a meeting held at the Ministry of Defense, strategic defense and security cooperation issues between Georgia and the United States were discussed. The sides discussed global and regional security challenges.

The Defense Minister thanked the US side for exemplary partnership and political and practical support. Attention was given to the progress made by Georgia on the path of NATO integration and Georgia's important contribution to ensuring international security. The talk touched upon steps taken to strengthen defense capabilities and future development plans. Mark the significance of growing US foreign military funding and joint international drills.

Maple Arch 2023

On December 7, Georgia hosted the command and staff exercise Maple Arch 2023. The exercise is organized by the Ministry of Defense of Canada, under the mentorship of the Military Training Cooperation Directorate, and is led by the Eastern Command of the Defense Forces from the Georgian side.

The official opening ceremony of the training was held at the NATO-Georgia Joint Training and Evaluation Center (JTEC). 

The two-week command and staff exercise is being held at the NATO-Georgia Joint Training and Evaluation Center (JTEC). Along with Canadian instructors, Georgian instructors are also involved in MAPLE ARCH 23. Military personnel from 9 countries take part in the training. Various units of the Eastern Command and personnel of JTEC represent the Defense Forces of Georgia.

The training aims to increase mutual compatibility between the participating countries, deepen ties between the partner countries in the field of defense, get closer to NATO standards in planning and implementation of peace operations, and improve the skills necessary for effective action and decision-making. MAPLE ARCH is an annual multinational exercise hosted by different countries on a rotating basis. The Defense Forces of Georgia participated in these exercises for the first time in 2018 with a battalion-level staff.