Armenia

Armenian and Georgian Defense Ministers Discuss Bilateral Cooperation

On February 26, Suren Papikyan, the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Armenia, engaged in a telephone conversation with Irakli Chikovani, the Deputy Prime Minister-Minister of Defence of Georgia, the Armenian Defense Ministry reported.

During the discussion, Minister Papikyan congratulated Minister Chikovani on his recent appointment as the Minister of Defence of Georgia.

Interlocutors deliberated on the current bilateral cooperation agenda in the defense sector and forthcoming initiatives, exchanging perspectives on security issues.

Both Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to further advancing the bilateral relations between Armenia and Georgia.

Armenia Returns Azerbaijani Soldier Who Crossed Border

On February 28, the National Security Service of Armenia decided to return the Azerbaijani soldier Ruslan Panahov to Azerbaijan, who 'lost his direction in adverse weather conditions' and crossed to the side of Armenia. 

"According to the agreement reached at the highest level between the two countries on the return of military personnel who defected to the other side in a short period, a decision was made to hand over Ruslan Panahov to Azerbaijan," the statement said. 

It was noted that the criminal case opened against him was terminated.

Azerbaijan

Local exercises

On February 27, training exercises on fulfilling reconnaissance tasks were held with the Marine special forces of Azerbaijan Naval Forces, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry reported. During the training exercises held in conditions close to real combat, the special forces fulfilled the tasks of conducting anti-terror operations using modern technologies and new combat tactics, including neutralizing an imaginary enemy’s terrorist group hiding in infrastructure facilities in human settlements. Special forces using attack UAVs incapacitated imaginary enemy’s observation posts and long-term firing points, as well as accomplished combat training tasks on penetrating positions in mobile groups using an aerosol camouflage and taking advantage of protective terrain features, organizing ambushes, and conducting assaults. Marine special forces demonstrated high professionalism in the accomplishment of the tasks of freeing a ship captured by an imaginary terrorist group and safely evacuating the ship's crew.

On February 29, the Azerbaijan Air Force's unmanned aerial vehicle units (UAV) continued to carry out training flights. Before the training flights, the crews carried out measures to bring the UAV into a state of combat readiness. Along the designated route, Akinci unmanned combat aerial vehicles recently adopted into the armament fulfilled the tasks of conducting aerial reconnaissance, determining the coordinates of imaginary enemy’s ground targets, as well as other tasks. The UAV crews fulfilled all tasks with high professionalism during the exercises conducted to maintain combat training at a high level and further improve the individual skills of the crews.

On March 1, a tactical-special exercise on the topic "Conducting combat operations in snowdrifts and severe cold" was conducted with Special Forces units and subunits. Special forces conducted tactical redeployment in high mountain areas using skis and fulfilled tasks on passing rocky terrain and overcoming obstacles in snow-covered areas. The special forces also accomplished tasks of providing first aid to a wounded serviceman and evacuating him using vehicles designed for difficult terrain and other special operations tasks.

Azerbaijani Defense Minister Hosts Turkish Deputy Defense Minister

On February 27, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan, hosted a delegation led by Şuay Alpay, the Deputy Minister of National Defense of the Republic of Türkiye, who was on a working visit to Azerbaijan.

Colonel General Hasanov underscored the significance of such meetings in further enhancing military cooperation, emphasizing the longstanding friendly and fraternal relations between the two countries.

The meeting, attended by Ambassador Cahit Bağcı, discussed prospects for regional military cooperation, security issues, and other matters of mutual interest.

In recognition of his contributions, Ş. The President of the Republic of Azerbaijan awarded Alpay the "100th anniversary of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (1918-2018)" jubilee medal.

NATO Conducts Military Medicine Course in Azerbaijan 

According to the Individual Partnership Cooperation Program for 2024 between the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan and NATO, on February 28, the mobile training group of Joint Forces Command Brunssum conducted the Military Medicine Course with the participation of military doctors. During the course held at the National Defense University, the mobile training group presented reports on "NATO medical support," "Military medical planning," and "Medical evacuation planning" to the course participants.

The next day, the education experts of both sides met as part of NATO's Defence Education Enhancement Programme (DEEP). During the meeting, issues of training foreign language instructors and organizing the teaching staff's activities in line with modern standards were discussed, and activities that will be implemented in 2024 in the field of military education were analyzed.

The course's main objective, which lasted until March 1, 2024, was to ensure that the medical support tasks assigned to servicemen of medical specialization aligned with the current requirements and to accelerate the use of innovations in the military medical field.

Georgia

Georgian Defense Minister Engages in High-Level Talks with Ambassadors

On February 26, Georgian Defense Minister Irakli Chikovani met with Major General Daniel Lasica, the US Director of Planning, Policy, Strategy, and Capabilities, at the Ministry of Defense, the Georgian Defense Ministry reported. Chikovani expressed gratitude for the political and practical support extended by the US to Georgia. The discussions centered on bilateral cooperation between the US and Georgia in defense and plans in the field. Both parties underscored the significant role of the US in enhancing Georgia's defense capabilities and emphasized the importance of conducting multinational military exercises within Georgia. They expressed optimism that defense cooperation between the two countries would continue to strengthen.

On February 28, Minister Chikovani held meetings with representatives of the diplomatic corps. He hosted Mark Clayton, the UK Ambassador, at the Ministry of Defense. The discussions concerned bilateral defense cooperation priorities and the UK's support for Georgia's territorial integrity and sovereignty. The significant role of the United Kingdom in implementing the NATO-Georgia Essential Package (SNGP) was highlighted, with both sides expressing their commitment to deepening defense cooperation.

Later the same day, Chikovani met with Ashot Smbatyan, the Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia in Georgia. They discussed bilateral defense cooperation and emphasized Georgia and Armenia's historic and friendly relations. The importance of the joint declaration of strategic partnership between the two countries was highlighted during the meeting, which Colonel Mesrop Nazariani, the Military Attaché of the Republic of Armenia, also attended.

Also, on February 28, Minister Chikovani held an introductory meeting with Massimiliano D'Antuono, the Italian Ambassador, and his deputy, Fabiola Albanese. They discussed ongoing defense cooperation between Georgia and Italy, including joint participation in high-level visits and international training. Italy's contributions to the successful implementation of NATO-Georgia Essential Package (SNGP) initiatives were acknowledged, and both parties expressed readiness to enhance cooperation further.

On March 1, Minister Chikovani met with Ambassador Ernst Peter Fischer and Defense Attaché Vice Colonel Andreas Sebald of the Federal Republic of Germany. Discussions centered on priority areas of cooperation between Georgian and German defense agencies, highlighting Germany's active involvement in various bilateral and multilateral cooperation formats. The German side's support for developing Georgia's defense capabilities, military education, and joint exercises was acknowledged, with both sides emphasizing the importance of expert exchanges and high-level visits for further cooperation. Minister Chikovani expressed gratitude for Germany's contributions and expressed hope for continued fruitful cooperation in the future.

Defense Ministers of Georgia and Armenia Discuss Closer Collaboration

On February 26, the Defense Ministers of Georgia and Armenia had a telephone conversation initiated by the Armenian Defense Minister. The discussion aimed to strengthen communication and collaboration between the two nations.

During the call, the ministers discussed ongoing and future defense cooperation initiatives between Georgia and Armenia. They highlighted the historical and friendly relations between the two countries and emphasized the strong bond between their peoples. Both defense ministers expressed their readiness to deepen further and enhance bilateral ties in the defense sphere.