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Defense ministers from Türkiye, Azerbaijan and Georgia signed a trilateral cooperation protocol and held a joint press conference in Ankara on Thursday, reaffirming their commitment to regional peace and stability in the Caucasus.
Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler, Azerbaijan Defense Minister Zakir Hasanov and Georgian Defense Minister Irakli Chikovani participated in the joint press conference at the Central Army House.
The three countries also signed a Military Health and Education Cooperation Protocol during bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the trilateral meeting.
Guler said deep historical ties among the three countries carry strong strategic characteristics: "Türkiye, Azerbaijan and Georgia's strong cooperation serves our countries' common interests and expectations while also making great contributions to the Caucasus' peace and stability."
Turkish defense minister emphasized recent developments are promising for a new era based on peace, stability, transportation and cooperation in the South Caucasus.
"In today's meeting, we held consultations on strengthening our bilateral and trilateral cooperation across a wide range, including defense, military and security issues, based on the idea of establishing a peaceful future in our region," Guler said.
"We are pleased to confirm that we have a common understanding on all these issues," he added.
Defense Minister Guler underlined that they will continue working with great determination and solidarity for regional stability, lasting security, and peace as the three important countries of the Caucasus.
"Türkiye sees the Caucasus as a developed geography evolving in peace and harmony and on the basis of common interests as a strategic priority in terms of regional and global security," Guler said.
"One of the points I want to draw attention to is our strong support for the independence and territorial integrity of our neighbors Azerbaijan and Georgia," he added.
Guler later noted that the Caucasus has critical importance both for regional stability and international security balances due to its historical and strategic location, adding, "The strong cooperation among Türkiye, Azerbaijan and Georgia serves our countries' common interests and expectations while also making great contributions to the Caucasus' peace and stability."
"We once again confirmed our will to further develop our multifaceted close and strong cooperation with the Trilateral Meeting Protocol we signed. I wholeheartedly believe that constructive dialogue and cooperation among our countries will continue increasingly in the coming period," Guler said.
Turkish defense minister expressed satisfaction at hosting Hasanov and Chikovani in Türkiye.
"Through you, I wish health and well-being to the people of friendly and brotherly Azerbaijan and Georgia, and present my greetings and respects," Guler said.
Hasanov said they held a productive trilateral meeting, noting these meetings have become traditional.
Hasanov said close relations and continuous contacts among the three countries' leaders accelerate further development of relations among the countries.
"The signing of a joint declaration by the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia in Washington on Aug. 8 and the initialing of the peace agreement to be signed between the two countries is an important step toward ending the war that has lasted more than 30 years," Hasanov said.
"This historic event brings new opportunities for cooperation in the South Caucasus and wider geography to the agenda," he added.
Hasanov emphasized developments in world military and political affairs dictate the necessity to further develop cooperation, adding, "New emerging threats such as international terrorism, energy and transportation line security, cyber attacks and climate change require countries to develop effective solutions through cooperation."
"We intend to further develop and deepen cooperation among our three countries' defense institutions with joint efforts," Hasanov said.
Chikovani said participating in the meeting with defense ministers of his country's friend and strategic partner countries holds great importance for him, thanking Guler for the hospitality.
Chikovani said they actively discussed bilateral and trilateral relations and exchanged views on regional security and future cooperation expectations, adding, "The South Caucasus region, which serves as a bridge between Europe and Asia, has historically always been a geostrategic region."
"In this sense, our countries' cooperation is very important," he added.
Chikovani emphasized that their priority task is to maintain regional stability through joint efforts and ensure peaceful solutions by adhering to international law principles.
Chikovani underlined that the trilateral format brings military units closer together, "Strategic-level visits where we will work together, joint exercises, trilateral course training, meetings where military experts come together provide great opportunities."
"The trilateral exercise is very important for us and today's trilateral meetings were very high level. I am sure these strategic relations will continue very successfully in the future," Chikovani concluded.
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