Armenia

Armenian Defense Minister Hosts Greek Ambassador
On May 19, Suren Papikyan, Armenia’s Minister of Defense, received Christos Sofianopoulos, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Greece to Armenia, accompanied by Defense Attaché Colonel Christos Arseniou.
During the meeting, they discussed Armenia-Greece defense cooperation and reviewed the outcomes of Minister Papikyan’s recent working visit to Greece. The interlocutors also addressed regional and international security issues.

Iranian Defense Minister Visits Armenia
On May 20, a delegation led by Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh, Minister of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics of the Islamic Republic of Iran, arrived in Armenia for an official visit at the invitation of Armenian Defense Minister Suren Papikyan.
Upon arrival, Brigadier General Nasirzadeh was welcomed with a formal ceremony at the Ministry of Defense administrative complex, featuring a guard of honor and military band, during which the national anthems of Armenia and Iran were played.
Minister Papikyan held a private meeting with Brigadier General Nasirzadeh, followed by an expanded meeting with their respective delegations. Both ministers expressed high appreciation for the current level of defense cooperation between Armenia and Iran and discussed prospects for further development. They also addressed various regional and international security issues.
As part of the visit, Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh planted a commemorative spruce tree on the premises of the Ministry of Defense administrative complex in Armenia.

Armenian Defense Minister Meets New Chinese Ambassador
On May 21, Armenian Minister of Defense Suren Papikyan received Li Xinwei, the newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to Armenia.
Minister Papikyan congratulated Ambassador Li on his appointment and wished him success in strengthening cooperation between the two countries.
During the meeting, both parties discussed Armenia-China defense cooperation and various issues related to regional and international security.

Armenian Defense Delegation Visits Cyprus
On May 22, a delegation led by Lieutenant General Edward Asryan, First Deputy Minister of Defense and Chief of the General Staff of the Armenian Armed Forces, arrived in Cyprus for an official visit at the invitation of Lieutenant General Georgios Tsitsikostas, Chief of Staff of the Cyprus National Guard.
A formal reception ceremony was held with a guard of honor and military band, during which the national anthems of Armenia and Cyprus were played.
Lieutenant General Edward Asryan and Lieutenant General Georgios Tsitsikostas discussed various aspects of Armenia-Cyprus defense cooperation. Additionally, Cyprus’s Minister of Defense, Vasilis Palmas, met with Lieutenant General Asryan to further discuss defense collaboration between the two countries.
The parties also addressed Armenia-Greece-Cyprus trilateral defense cooperation, alongside several topics related to regional and international security.

Azerbaijan

Local and International Exercises
On May 19, the opening ceremony of the "Araz-2025" Azerbaijan-Iran joint military exercise was held in Azerbaijan. The event featured speeches emphasizing the importance of strengthening Azerbaijan-Iran military cooperation, mutual trust, and regional security. The ceremony concluded with a military parade. Meanwhile, the "Araz-2025" exercise continued in Azerbaijani territories regained after the Second Karabakh War.

On May 21, the "Anatolian Phoenix - 2025" International Search and Rescue Exercise took place in Konya, Türkiye. Participants received briefings on safety, terrain, and tasks before successfully completing parachute training and search-and-rescue operations. The exercise aimed to enhance parachute skills, combat readiness, interoperability, and experience exchange among participating countries. Azerbaijan was represented by Air Force pilots, paratroopers, technical staff, and aircraft. On May 22, the "Araz-2025" joint exercise concluded successfully. Both Azerbaijani and Iranian military personnel completed assigned tasks with precision and high combat readiness. The exercise leaders praised the troops’ professionalism, and the event ended with mutual gift exchanges and awards for servicemen.
On May 23, the "Anatolian Phoenix - 2025" exercise in Türkiye concluded with a Distinguished Visitors Day attended by media and official guests. Participants were briefed on the exercise’s progress, observed practical demonstrations, and enjoyed an aerial show by the Turkish Stars aviation group. 

Azerbaijan and Israel Hold Defense Talks in Tel Aviv
On May 19, the leadership of Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Defense conducted an official visit to Tel Aviv, Israel. During the visit, Azerbaijani Minister of Defense Colonel General Zakir Hasanov met with Israeli Minister of Defense Israel Katz and Chief of the General Staff of the Israel Defense Forces, Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir. The meetings emphasized the strong Azerbaijani-Israeli relations and included a detailed exchange of views on advancing military cooperation. Additionally, Azerbaijan’s Deputy Minister of Defense and Director General Agil Gurbanov held talks with Amir Baram, Director General of the Israel Ministry of Defense. They discussed ongoing initiatives and future plans to expand cooperation in military-technical and military-educational areas. The Azerbaijani defense delegation also toured the Main Operations Center of the Israel Defense Forces and received briefings on its current activities.

Italian Defense Delegation Visits Azerbaijan to Expand Military Education, Naval, and Special Forces Cooperation Through High-Level Meetings and Institutional Tours
On May 20, Colonel General Karim Valiyev, First Deputy Minister of Defense and Chief of the General Staff of the Azerbaijan Army, received Lieutenant General Stefano Mannino, President of the Centre for Higher Defense Studies of the Italian National Defense University, during the Italian delegation’s official visit to Azerbaijan. The delegation visited the Alley of Shehids, laying flowers to honor those who sacrificed their lives for Azerbaijan’s independence and territorial integrity. At the General Staff, Colonel General Valiyev expressed satisfaction with the visit and highlighted the importance of Azerbaijani-Italian military educational cooperation in developing professional military personnel. Lieutenant General Mannino thanked his hosts, emphasizing the value of joint military courses and specialist training programs. Both sides acknowledged that mutual visits strengthen bilateral military relations and exchanged views on various issues of common interest.
On May 21, the Italian delegation toured key Azerbaijani military educational and training institutions, including the National Defense University (NDU), War Games Center, Military Institute named after Heydar Aliyev, Military Lyceum named after Jamshid Nakhchivanski, and a naval unit. Major General Gunduz Abdulov, Rector of the NDU, welcomed the guests and underscored the mutual trust underpinning Azerbaijani-Italian cooperation in military education. Lieutenant General Mannino expressed gratitude for the hospitality and noted the benefits of experience exchange for both armies. The delegation received briefings on the NDU’s history, educational system, and electronic admission procedures, and Lieutenant General Mannino signed the book of remembrance. Visits continued to the War Games Center and special military educational institutions. The visit concluded with a tour of an Azerbaijan Naval Forces unit, where Acting Commander 1st Grade Captain Shahin Mammadov highlighted Italy’s special role in Azerbaijan’s naval cooperation with leading world powers. The delegation received detailed briefings, observed military equipment, and watched exemplary performances by naval special forces.
On May 23, under the Protocol of Intent between the Azerbaijani and Italian Ministers of Defense on naval personnel training and education cooperation, commemorative gifts were presented to distinguished graduates of both countries’ military institutions. Junior Lieutenant Ricardo Romano, who graduated with distinction from the Naval Academy in Livorno, Italy, received a “Navy Dirk” and certificate signed by the Commander of the Azerbaijan Naval Forces. This gift was presented by a representative of the Azerbaijani Military Attaché Office in Italy. In accordance with the Protocol, officers graduating with honors from the Naval Forces faculty of Azerbaijan’s Military Institute named after Heydar Aliyev are presented with the “Honorary Dirk” on behalf of the Italian Naval Forces Command.
On the same day, an expert meeting took place between representatives of the Special Forces of Azerbaijan and Italy as part of the Italian delegation’s official visit to Azerbaijan. The Italian guests toured one of the Azerbaijan Special Forces’ military units. The delegation received a detailed briefing on the history, establishment, and combat operations of the Azerbaijan Special Forces, with questions from the Italian side addressed during the session. The expert meeting featured a comprehensive exchange of views on joint cooperation prospects and issues of mutual interest. The Italian representatives familiarized themselves with the UAVs, weaponry, and other specialized equipment used by Azerbaijan’s Special Forces personnel. The visit concluded with a demonstration of the Special Forces’ combat training performances for the delegation.

Azerbaijani and Turkish Defense Leaders Meet to Strengthen Bilateral Military Cooperation
On May 21, the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, received a delegation led by the Commander of the 1st Army of the Land Forces of the Republic of Türkiye, Army General Metin Tokel, who arrived in Azerbaijan for an official visit.
During the meeting at the Ministry of Defense, Colonel General Hasanov welcomed the guests and underscored the steadily developing Azerbaijani-Turkish relations based on historical ties, shared values, and mutual trust. He emphasized the significance of the Shusha Declaration in fostering bilateral military cooperation and expressed gratitude for Türkiye’s moral and political support during the 44-day Karabakh War.
Army General Tokel, expressing appreciation for the hospitality, conveyed the greetings of Türkiye’s Minister of National Defense, Yaşar Güler, and highlighted the strategic nature of Azerbaijani-Turkish military relations. He praised the development of the Azerbaijan Army as a source of pride for Türkiye and emphasized the importance of regular mutual visits to strengthen cooperation.
On the same day, 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. Discussions focused on the importance of joint exercises incorporating modern technological innovations and the exchange of experience in training professional military personnel, alongside regional security matters and other mutual interests.
On May 23, the Deputy Minister of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan – Commander of the Land Forces, Colonel General Hikmat Mirzayev, met with the Turkish delegation led by Army General Tokel. Both sides reviewed the current state of military cooperation and agreed on the need for further expansion, particularly through joint exercises using advanced technology to enhance the combat readiness and expertise of servicemen.
As part of the visit, the Turkish delegation also toured the War Games Center of the Military Scientific-Research Institute of the National Defense University, where they attended briefings and engaged in experience-sharing discussions.

NATO Deputy Chief of Staff for Support Visits Azerbaijan on Official Mission
On May 23, a delegation led by Major General Stefan Fix, Headquarters Joint Force Command Brunssum (JFCBS) Deputy Chief of Staff for Support, paid an official visit to the Republic of Azerbaijan.
As part of the visit, the NATO delegation visited the Azerbaijan Naval Forces, where discussions focused on the current state and future prospects of Azerbaijan-NATO cooperation within partnership programs, emphasizing opportunities for expanding experience exchange. Both sides highlighted Azerbaijan’s active role and initiatives within NATO’s partnership framework.
Following the meeting, the delegation received a briefing at one of the Naval Forces’ military units, detailing the unit’s operational areas, and observed exemplary training sessions on tactical and special preparation of servicemen.
The NATO representatives also visited the Military Police Department, where they were informed about the department’s history, structure, and activities through a video presentation and a comprehensive briefing.
At the concluding stage of the visit, the delegation attended a meeting at the International Military Cooperation Department. The sides conducted an extensive and constructive exchange of views on the current status of Azerbaijan-NATO military cooperation, ongoing partnership projects, areas of mutual interest, and prospects for future collaboration. It was underscored that such visits reaffirm the strategic significance of Azerbaijan-NATO ties and contribute to further enhancing mutual understanding.

Georgia

Georgian Defense Forces Head Giorgi Matiashvili Visits Slovakia
On May 20, Lieutenant General Giorgi Matiashvili, Head of the Georgian Defense Forces, paid a working visit to the Republic of Slovakia, where he was received by General Daniel Zmeko, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Slovakia, in Bratislava.
Following an official welcoming ceremony with an honor guard, the two generals discussed the development of military cooperation between Georgia and Slovakia since 2014, focusing on areas such as military education, training, joint participation of Georgian and Slovak servicemen in international exercises, and the exchange of experience in military personnel policy.
Lieutenant General Matiashvili expressed appreciation for the active involvement of Slovak experts in NATO-Georgia Essential Package (SNGP) initiatives and highlighted the significance of opening a Slovak Defense Attaché office in Georgia to further strengthen bilateral cooperation.
During the visit, the Georgian delegation also met with Robert Kaliňák, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense of Slovakia, and visited a Slovak military-industrial company, where they were introduced to the company’s artillery systems and weaponry.

Georgia Hosts Military Consultations with NATO Representatives in Tbilisi
On May 23, the Ministry of Defense of Georgia hosted another round of military consultations with NATO representatives, who were in Tbilisi for a working visit from May 20 to 22.
The visit aimed to review the current status of NATO-Georgian military cooperation, with discussions focusing on the implementation of measures under the NATO Military Committee cooperation format, the draft joint evaluation of the NATO Military Committee, Georgia’s work plan, and future partnership initiatives.
As part of the program, the NATO delegation visited the NATO-Georgia Joint Training and Evaluation Center (JTEC), where they were briefed on the center’s infrastructure, ongoing projects, and the support provided through the NATO-Georgia Essential Package (SNGP) and international partners.
Several rounds of working meetings within the NATO Military Committee and Georgia cooperation framework are held annually, serving as a platform for expert-level discussions on key aspects of military cooperation.