Baku: On March 17, the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, met with a delegation led by Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Defense of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mr. Zukan Helez, who is on an official visit to Azerbaijan, as reported by the Ministry of Defense to APA.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the delegation from Bosnia and Herzegovina paid their respects by visiting the graves of the National Leader of the Azerbaijani people, Heydar Aliyev, and the prominent ophthalmologist, academician Zarifa Aliyeva, in the Alley of Honor. They laid wreaths and flowers to honor their memory. The delegation also visited Victory Park to lay a wreath at the Victory Monument.

The official welcoming ceremony at the Azerbaijan Ministry of Defense included a ceremonial passage in front of the guard of honor. The national anthems of both countries were performed, and the Book of Honor was signed as per the established protocol.

During the meeting, the Azerbaijan Defense Minister expressed his pleasure at the presence of the guests in Azerbaijan. He informed his Bosnian counterpart about the successful military reforms conducted under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev after the victories in the 44-day Patriotic War and subsequent operations. The discussions also covered measures in the liberated territories and the operational situation along the Azerbaijani-Armenian conditional state border.

Mr. Zukan Helez expressed satisfaction with the visit to Azerbaijan and gratitude for the hospitality. He emphasized that mutual visits and meetings contribute to expanding military relations, and stressed the importance of establishing a working group for effective experience exchange and joint activities.

The meeting highlighted the positive experience of cooperation between Azerbaijan and Bosnia and Herzegovina within the Partnership for Peace programme and the Operations Capabilities Concept. It also noted the successful participation of servicemen from both countries in international exercises.

The meeting concluded with both sides expressing satisfaction with the development of bilateral relations. They discussed prospects for cooperation in military, military-technical, and military-educational spheres, along with a detailed exchange of views on regional security issues.