(MENAFN- AzerNews)
Sabina Mammadli read more Azerbaijani Defense Minister Col-Gen Zakir Hasanov and his
Italian counterpart Guido Crosetto signed a protocol of intent on
cooperation in the field of training and education, Azernews
reports.
At the start of the meeting, the ministers passed along the
guard of honor, and both countries' national anthems were
performed.
Further, the Italian guest signed the“Book of Honor” in
accordance with the protocol.
Informing the visiting delegation about the military-political
situation in the region in the post-war period, Zakir Hasanov
emphasized that cooperation between Azerbaijan and Italy in the
field of military education, as well as within the framework of
NATO, continues rapidly, and these relations are highly valued.
He then went on to point out that the current visit is the
beginning of a new stage of development in the field of
Azerbaijan-Italy military cooperation.
In turn, Crosetto expressed gratitude for the hospitality and
highlighted the importance of developing military cooperation
between the two countries.
During the meeting, the sides emphasized the significance of
mutual visits in the development of relations between the countries
based on strategic partnership. The parties also eyed the further
expansion of cooperation in the military, military-technical, and
military-educational spheres and other issues of mutual
interest.
Earlier, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev met with the Italian
Defense Minister.
Saying that Azerbaijani-Italian bilateral relations based on
strategic partnership are developing successfully, President Ilham
Aliyev emphasized the importance of high-level reciprocal visits in
this regard and hailed his recent visit to Italy.
Minister Crosetto noted that the Azerbaijani president's visits
to Italy are always welcomed with great pleasure in this
country.
The Italian defense minister expressed his gratitude to
President Ilham Aliyev for his appreciation of Italy's role in the
development of Azerbaijan-NATO and Azerbaijan-European Union
relations.
During the conversation, it was noted that there were good
prospects for expanding cooperation in the fields of energy,
construction, tourism, agriculture, defense industry, and
others.
The diplomatic relations between the two countries were
established on May 8, 1992. Italy's first embassy in the South
Caucasus was opened in Azerbaijan in 1997 and the embassy of
Azerbaijan in Italy has been functioning since 2003.
Italy was one of the first countries to express support for
Azerbaijan's territorial integrity, as well as an interest in
participating in restoration efforts in Azerbaijan's liberated
territories.
Azerbaijan is a major supplier of energy to Italy. In
Azerbaijan, over 100 Italian companies operate in various sectors.
At the same time, Italian firms have contracts worth more than € 10
billion ($11.8 billion) for Azerbaijani projects both inside and
outside the country. Azerbaijan's total investment in the Italian
economy is estimated to be around €1.7 billion ($2 billion), with
Italy investing approximately €770 million ($910.8 million) in
Azerbaijan.
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Sabina Mammadli is AzerNews' staff journalist, follow her on
Twitter: @sabinammdl