Israeli Defense Minister Visits Azerbaijan

\n

Israeli Defense Minister Visits Azerbaijan –

\n

\n

\n

BAKU (Agence France-Presse)—Moshe Yaalon visited Azerbaijan on Wednesday for a two-day visit, the first by an Israeli defense minister to the country, reported Israel’s Ministry of Defense.

\n

\n

“The defense minister has landed in Baku for a two-day visit, the first by an Israeli defense minister in Azerbaijan,” said a statement from the Israeli Ministry of Defense.

\n

The visit aims to “strengthen bilateral cooperation” between the two countries and to discuss “regional strategic issues,” according to the text.

\n

Azerbaijan is the country closest to Israel in the Caucasus. Baku has purchased over $1.5 billion of arms from Israel and has allowed Israeli planes to use Azeri air bases in the event of possible strikes against Iran, according to news reports.

\n

Moshe Yaalon will meet with Azeri President Ilham Aliyev, his counterpart Zakir Hasanov and Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov and representatives of local Jewish communities.

\n

\n