"I will keep on doing my best to contribute to the existing military and defense relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Korea", Commander Elchin Jafarov

The occasion of 96th anniversary of the Armed Forces Day of the Republic of Azerbaijan, held on the June 25th evening 2014 at the Millennium Seoul Hilton, was a good opportunity to ruminate over the recent history of Azerbaijan once more following its Republic Day reception on May 27th.

   
▲ Commander Elchin Jafarov, Defence Attache, Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan (fourth from right, front row) poses with his colleague military attaches from each embassies to mark 96th anniversary of the Armed Forces Day of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Before his speech, Commander Elchin Jafarov, Defence Attache, Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan, asked to offer up a silent prayer for the victims of Sewon ferry accident. In particular, he committed himself to do his utmost for close cooperations between Korea and Azerbaijan in the fields of military & defense as capacity of Defense Attache, Embassy of Azerbaijan in Seoul. Defense attaches from each embassies who were attending the function, included Mr. Ajay Chandpuria, Embassy of India, Cd Abdul Malik Ali, Embassy of Malaysia, Col. David M. Lovejoy of U.S. Embassy, Col. Eddie D. Maningding, Embassy of the Philippines and more.

The following is the full text of Commander Elchin Jafarov's address to mark The occasion of 96th anniversary of the Armed Forces Day of the Republic of Azerbaijan. -Ed.

Dear BG Park
Dear officers and generals! Ladies and gentlemen!
Friends and colleagues!
I cordially  thank you for accepting my invitation on the occasion of 96th anniversary of the establishment of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Azerbaijan and I welcome all of you.

   
▲ Mrs. Konul Jafarova, spouse of Commander Elchin Jafarov & Mrs. Konul Teymurova, spouse of CDA Ramzi Teymurov, Embassy of Azerbaijan (seventh & fifth from left, respectively) mark Azerbaijan 96th anniversary of the Armed Forces Day with wives of military attaches from each embassies.
First of all, I would like to express my deepest condolence to the relatives of victims of Sewol Ferry disaster, as well as to the Government and people of the Republic of Korea.
I would like to draw your attention to the establishment process of Azerbaijan Armed Forces. Azerbaijan Armed Forces were built after the establishment of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic as the first democratic republic in the Muslim world in 1918. However, Azerbaijan Democratic Republic has not been existed for a long time and after two years lost its independence, therefore the life of the first Azerbaijan Armed Forces were short as well.
After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Azerbaijan has regained its independence and established the National Army against the internal and external threats Unfortunately, the structure and preparation of the army was not enough strong in the first years of independence in Azerbaijan. Army formation in Azerbaijan was not conducted at the proper level, which led to the tragic events, such as occupation of 20% Azerbaijan’s territories by neighboring Armenia.

   
▲ Second secretary Farrukh Jumayev & Mrs. Konul Teymurova (second from left & far right) pose with invited guests during the function.
On 1993, by the request of the Azerbaijani National Leader Heydar Aliyev has returned to the leadership of the country and immediate reforms were took place in all spheres. As a part of these reforms that carried out, the structure of National Army was rebuilt and coherent system of training military personnel established.
As H.E. Mr. Ilham Aliyev, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan said “Today, Azerbaijan National Army is ready to fight against terrorism, separatism and extremism” at any time.
Nowadays, the process of improving the formation of the army is completed by the strengthening of its material base, maintenanceof Armed forces with modern military technology and the weapons that answering to the highest world standards.
Today, Azerbaijan has close military and defense relations with friendly countries. As a result of cooperation with international community, Azerbaijan became a part of international fight against terrorism, separatism and extremism; its peacekeeping units have actively taken a part in various places of the world. The partnership with NATO serves Azerbaijan’s strategic goal of integration into Euro-Atlantic structures.
In the content of relations with international community in military and defense fields, the Republic of Azerbaijan has established relations with the Republic of Korea as well. The visit of the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Republic of Korea which took place on December 2013 and signing of the memorandum of Understanding between MNDs of two countries can be a good example for developing relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Korea in defense and military fields.

   
▲ Commander Elchin Jafarov & Mrs. Konul Jafarova welcoming military attaches at the reception line to mark The occasion of 96th anniversary of the Armed Forces Day of the Republic of Azerbaijan, held on the June 25th evening 2014 at the Millennium Seoul Hilton.
On my own side, I will keep on doing my best to contribute to the existing military and defense relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Korea.
At the end of my speech, I propose to raise our glasses for the developing military and defense relations and friendship between our countries.
I thank you.
 

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