Turkish, Azerbaijani, Georgian defense ministers meet in Istanbul

ISTANBUL – Anadolu Agency

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The defense ministers of Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey came together in Istanbul on Dec. 17 as part of a previously established cooperation agreement between the three countries. 

Speaking after meeting with Georgian Defense Minister Tinatin Khidasheli and Azerbaijani Defense Minister Zakir Hasanov in Istanbul, Turkish Defense Minister İsmet Yılmaz said deepening the cooperation between the three countries would contribute not only to relations between the three states but also to the development of regional peace, stability and prosperity. 

“During our meeting, we emphasized the need for improving trilateral and regional cooperation on topics that will benefit all three countries. We mainly focused on defense, security and our countries’ armed forces,” said Yılmaz on Dec. 17. 

The three ministers had come together for the third meeting of the “Trio Defense Ministers meeting.” 

Yılmaz said the cooperation and dialogue established between the three states could be an “example to others,” at a time when global and regional dialogue is sought more than ever. 

Yılmaz said the three defense ministers had underlined the importance of the signing of a memorandum of understanding on cooperation over defense issues.