Azerbaijani and Turkish media report about the Turkish Gendarmerie General Commander, Galip Mendi’s visit to Baku. In particular, the “APA” news agency writes that in the coming days Mendi will meet with the Azerbaijani Interior Ministry, also Internal Troops Commander, and Defense Minister Zakir Hasanov. As reported by Haqqin.az, the Turkish Generals will discuss with the heads of the Azerbaijani military infrastructure the prospects for the development of a military partnership between Turkey and Azerbaijan.
“Undoubtedly, this visit is not accidental and it connected with the situation that exists on the border with Azerbaijan. This once again shows that Turkey provides a serious military and advisory support to the armed forces of Azerbaijan. In addition, the Turkish soldiers and military experts are involved in the Azerbaijani Armed Forces and exercise counseling and training drills. There are facts about it. And the visit of Turkish top serviceman is associated with all this as the Azerbaijani aggression manifested on the border with Artsakh is somewhat agreed with Turkey” – said Turkologist Levon Hovsepyan in an interview with Aravot.am commenting on the mentioned visit.
He informed that Galip Mendi is a very experienced soldier while, until he appointment as a commander of gendarmerie in 2015 he was holding the position of the 2nd Army of Turkish Land Forces and the Aegean Army commander, he was also the commander of the brigade of special forces and Turkish forces in northern Cyprus. In particular, the 2nd army was involved in hostilities in the Kurdish settlements. “Especially in recent years, the Turkish-Azerbaijani military partnership was and still remains at a high level, there is a very close military partnership between these countries. The legal-contractual framework allows for Ankara to be seriously involved in Azerbaijani power system. I do not think that this visit is going to change something essential in terms of bilateral military relations. This is more associated with situational process,” – said Levon Hovsepyan.
Luiza SUKIASYAN
Photo from Levon Hovsepyan’s Facebook page
