Armenia

Armenia and France strengthen military ties

On October 23, the Armenian Defense Ministry reported that in the framework of the working visit to the French Republic, Suren Papikyan, the Minister of Defense, had meetings with Thomas Gassilloud, the Chairman of the Commission on National Defense and Armed Forces of the National Assembly of the French Republic, and Jean-Louis Bourlanges, the Chairman of the Committee of Foreign Affairs.

The Minister of Defense expressed his gratitude to the French parliamentarians for supporting the development of cooperation and pro-Armenian activities on national and European platforms.

On October 24, in the framework of the working visit to the French Republic, Suren Papikyan visited the Senate of the French Republic, where he had meetings with Senate Vice President Pierre Ouzoulias, Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Armed Forces Cédric Perrin and  Chairman of the France-Armenia Friendship Group Gilbert-Luc Devinaz.

The Minister of Defence introduced the current course of cooperation and the results of the discussions held during the visit. Minister Papikyan expressed his gratitude for the support in the development of cooperation. The senators expressed readiness to further support the improvement of Armenian-French cooperation.

Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan discusses military cooperation with Tajikistan, Lithuania, Kazakhstan

On October 23, a delegation led by Colonel General Sherali Mirzo, the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Tajikistan, visited Azerbaijan.

Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, the Azerbaijani Defense Minister, welcomed the guests and expressed his satisfaction with seeing them in Azerbaijan.

The importance of such meetings was noted in terms of further expansion of military cooperation between the two countries. The significance of mutual experience exchange in army development and the military-technical field was emphasized. The meeting also discussed the development prospects of cooperation between Azerbaijan and Tajikistan in military, military-technical, military educational, and other fields, as well as several issues of mutual interest.

On October 25, the National Defense University hosted a working meeting on cooperation in military education and science in accordance with the Bilateral cooperation plan for 2023 between the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

During the meeting, the sides also held a detailed exchange of views on several other issues of mutual interest.

Then, the guests visited the Center for War Games of the Military Administration Institute. Rector of the Military Administration Institute, Doctor of National Security and Military Sciences, Professor, Colonel Babir Guliyev, informed the guests about the center's activities.

On October 27, a meeting between military medical specialists of the Defense Ministries of Azerbaijan and Lithuania was held in Baku to exchange experience in the field of military medicine.

At the meeting, a detailed exchange of views on cooperation in the field of military medicine, as well as on several issues of mutual interest, was held. The Lithuanian delegation was given a briefing on the organization of medical services, as well as military medical provision in the Azerbaijan Army.

Then, the guests arrived at several military medical institutions operating under the Medical Department and got acquainted with the created conditions.

Local exercises

On October 28, the ministry reported that underwater attack naval special forces’ airborne training sessions were held at one of the combined arms training ranges of the Azerbaijan Army.

During the sessions held with cadets and Underwater Attack Special Forces Course instructors, various tasks on parachute training were fulfilled.

The main objective of the sessions was to improve military personnel’s skills in parachute jumping, as well as further increase their combat and special training levels.

Azerbaijan Defense Minister on a working visit to China

On October 29, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov paid a working visit to the People's Republic of China to participate in the 10th Beijing Xiangshan Forum.

As part of the visit, the Minister of Defense is scheduled to meet with the military leadership of China, as well as visit several Chinese companies of the military-industrial complex of the country.

The upcoming meetings will discuss the prospects for developing cooperation between the two countries in the military, military-technical, and other spheres, as well as several issues of mutual interest.

Georgia

Minister of Defense meets newly appointed US Ambassador

On October 23, Juansher Burchuladze, the Minister of Defense, met with Robin Dunnigan, the newly appointed US Ambassador.

The parties talked about the implementation process of the initiative to strengthen Georgia's defense and deterrence capabilities, which was positively evaluated by the American side. The positive dynamics of the US-Georgia multinational exercises were noted, which increased the level of professionalism and interoperability of the defense forces.

The conversation also touched on directions of US-Georgia bilateral cooperation. The Minister of Defense expressed his gratitude to the United States government and the American people for the assistance provided to support the defense forces and hoped that the defense partnership between the countries would be further strengthened in the future.