Azerbaijani Army surpasses Armenian Army in terms of both material-technical basis and military capability

-Everything is well. Most of the soldiers and officers are in the trenches. Military preparations are going on very seriously and all our military forces are ready to fulfill their duties at any time.

-Are you satisfied with the care provided by state, if we take into account that your budget has reached USD 2 billion? How would you characterize the situation in the army now?

-You must be aware that our budget in 2003 constituted only AZN 435 million and in 2004 this amount increased by 30%. In 2005 it was increased by 65%, in 2006 100%, 2007 roughly 30% and in 2008 about 42-43%. It means that our capabilities have been steadily increased. We had some problems connected with military supplies. We have already solved them. We also solved our problems in the maintenance area. Today we can say that we almost don’t have any problem. We managed to improve every single area, since our financial capabilities were increased. Our Army develops day by day. With increasing our military trainings and technical bases our capability also increases.

-We are happy to hear that. But we also have to take it into account that we are shifting to NATO standards and according to experts visiting Azerbaijan it goes very fast and very efficiently. Naturally, you might have problems as well. Soviet weapons and NATO standards. What kind of problems does the competition between these two introduce us and how do we cope with those problems?

-We closely cooperate with NATO. The people outside the army think as if it takes only a month or so. But it requires many years to achieve this transition. We started the cooperation in 1994. Ex-president, late Heydar Aliyev presented Individual Partnership Plan to NATO General Secretary and it was approved. And we started cooperation since then. For instance, more than 1000 officers will take part in the 170 meetings planned for this year. I don’t agree with those saying “We have to change all our weapons”. I think that it is not correct. There are quite a lot of Soviet weapons in NATO countries and they are still using them. It is true; however, that we plan to change all Soviet weapons with the new ones in the future. All the service branches of the army have already shifted to NATO standards. Starting from 2007, we managed to remove former Soviet standards. Nevertheless, we are not going to refuse that system completely. We will avoid only those which do not meet NATO standards.

-What about NATO membership? When Azerbaijan will become a NATO member?

-It is early to say. Time will show, I would say.

-Can we possibly compare the military relations of Azerbaijani Army with its allies with that of those states who have signed “Collective Security” Treaty? I mean, for instance, if Azerbaijan would need some kind of help, is there any guarantee that we will get that from our allies?

- Today we cooperate with about 50 countries in the military field. We have signed military treaties with 24 counties including Turkey, the US, Pakistan, UK, Germany, Hungary and Bulgaria. We take responsibilities when we sign them. There is no unity in the CIS countries today. You are well aware of the relations between Russia and Armenia. And it compels us to take some actions against it.

-Mr. Minister. What kinds of information do you posses about the Armenian Army? I guess our secret services provide you with that information.

-Certainly. How could we fight if we had no information about opposite side? We have all information and we use them. We receive information on the daily basis. I don’t want to talk about that, however, because we still need them. We are well aware of the situation in the Armenian Army.

-Russia and Azerbaijan have common target, however. I mean Qabala radar station. There have been very serious, active relations formed around it. How is it now, on what stage are these relations?

-It is impossible to use Qabala station without Azerbaijan's participation. Because, it belongs to Azerbaijan, it is Azerbaijan’s property.

-What about Russian-US talks?

-There are almost no talks held between them right now.

-Mr. Abiyev, I know you from the front. We witnessed the military operations organized by you those days. I would like to ask you about cease-fire, when and where is it violated most?

-Our army has considerably developed during cease-fire period. Today our Army responds to fires of the opposite side. I don’t want to talk about in what direction or when it is violated most. In fact, it is violated in all directions-in the border, in the occupied territories. The contact line is very close to each side, firings are quite possible at such distances. Armenian Military Forces fire at our positions especially at night.

-As you remember Russia aided Armenia USD 1 billion ammunitions. It is very big amount. Does this difference still exist? Do they still suprass us with those USD 1 billion weapons? Or have we been able to cover this imbalance?

-Russia aided Armenia USD 1 billion ammunitions in 1993-1996. We have already mentioned it was in the past. We have covered that imbalance long time ago and it is not in favor of Armenia. Azerbaijan Army is far stronger than Armenian Army in terms of both material-technical bases and military capabilities.

-You mentioned about the personnel trainings. I would like to talk a bit more about that and to ask you about the forthcoming parade. Because people have strange expectations that they will finally be able to see their army.

-We have started military personnel trainings in accordance with NATO standards in 1997. The graduation ceremony of the first group of officers trained in accordance with NATO standards was attended by late Heydar Aliyev himself in 2001. Today we have high military school, high military aviation school, high military navigation school, training schools and academy. We have Simulation Center as well. At this center the trainings are conducted in the computers. It enables us to systematically draw all military forces together. Our officers are trained in more than 20 countries. I can confidently say that we don’t have any problems connected with experienced personnel.

-Azerbaijan Military Forces are eagerly preparing for 90th anniversary of our National Army Day. Commander-in-Chief of Azerbaijani Army, president Ilham Aliyev said that an immense parade will be held. How are you preparing for that? What kind of military branches and how many personnel will participate in this parade?

-We have seriously taken the task. All kind of military branches of the army will participate in the parade. I won’t say what kind of weapons will be displayed. You will see them when time arrives. /HESABAT/