ANKARA (Turkish Daily News)–Azerbaijan’s Defense Minister Sefer Abiyev–who is on an official visit in Ankara–said that Armenia is planning to buy S-300 missiles and MIG-29 fighter jets from Russia.
Expressing concerns over the defense industry relations between Russia and Armenia–Abiyev said that such steps would escalate tension in the region and should be closely observed.
On Wednesday–Abiyev met with Turkish Defense Minister Ismet Sezgin and the Chief of Staff–General Huseyin Kivrikoglu. The issue of Armenian armamen’s was one of the leading topics discussed during the Sezgin-Abiyev meeting.
"Armenia bought 18 MIG-29 and S-300 missiles from Russia. These efforts–which will raise tension in the region–should have close attention paid to them," Abiyev said. Abiyev reminded the meeting that Turkey has always supported Azerbaijan regarding the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute. Turkish Defense Minister Sezgin said that Turkey will continue to support the solution of the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute through peaceful means while conserving the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.
After his meetings with Defense Minister Sezgin and General Kivrikoglu–Abiyev was received by Turkish President Suleyman Demirel. Abiyev will return to Azerbaijan on Friday.
