Azerbaijan, Russia to hold joint naval drills in 2015

The defense ministries of Russia and Azerbaijan intend to adopt a more practical approach to issues relating to interaction, primarily in the Caspian Sea, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said on Monday following negotiations with his Azeri counterpart, Zakir Hasanov.

"We plan to conduct a series of joint naval trainings in 2015. We will practice navigation, ensuring the safety of economic activities at sea, as well as rescue and humanitarian operations," the Russian minister said.

"We will also develop other areas of cooperation in the Caspian Sea. Specifically, in the sphere of navigation and hydrographic support and exchange of information on the above-water situation for joint prevention of illegal activities by transborder criminal groups," Shoigu said.

"We will continue the practice of mutual calls. Next year, we plan a call by a unit of the ships of the Caspian flotilla to the Baku port," he said.

Hasanov, for his part, said an agreement had been reached to conduct "joint command and headquarters exercises and tactical training in the Caspian Sea."

Bakudaily.Az