A new memorandum strengthening military cooperation between Azerbaijan and Turkey has been approved. The document covers the expansion of military security, joint exercises, defense industry, and information exchange. According to the agreement, the parties must provide military support to each other in case of armed aggression, in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter.
Could this document lay the groundwork for the formation of a broader military cooperation model in the future within the framework of the Organization of Turkic States, involving several countries?
In a statement to Modern.az, Rizvan Nabiyev, a member of the Milli Majlis Committee on Defense, Security, and Anti-Corruption, stated that the Gabala summit of the Organization of Turkic States played a role in the signing of the military memorandum between Azerbaijan and Turkey:
“At the Gabala summit of the Organization of Turkic States, at Azerbaijan's suggestion, issues related to security, defense industry, and defense were brought to the agenda for the first time in the organization's history. The summit's theme was chosen as “Regional Peace and Security”. This precisely served as a green light and foundation for establishing cooperation or deepening areas of cooperation around this topic, both bilaterally and multilaterally, among individual states. The existing cooperation between Turkey and Azerbaijan, particularly the Shusha Declaration signed in June 2021, which we proudly rely upon, plays a significant role here. This does not only serve as a basis for cooperation between Azerbaijan and Turkey. At the same time, it provides an impetus for cooperation and the deepening of existing cooperation for other Turkic states. It should be recalled that a strategic partnership and mutual assistance agreement between Turkey and Azerbaijan was signed as early as August 16, 2010”.
The parliamentarian emphasized that such a document could also be signed with other Turkic countries, for example, Uzbekistan:
“The memorandum of understanding approved by the Milli Majlis further specifies the provisions regarding mutual assistance in the event of a threat to the territories of the countries, as outlined in the document signed in Shusha. The two countries, based on the UN Charter and proceeding from the legal provisions of the documents they have signed, immediately begin consultations and agree on the scope, direction, and form of the support to be provided. This document, signed between Azerbaijan and Turkey, and the previous one, can serve as an excellent basis for cooperation among individual Turkic states in both bilateral and multilateral formats. That is, such a document could be signed tomorrow by Azerbaijan-Turkey and Uzbekistan together, or by Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan jointly”.
Aydin Mirzazade, another member of the Milli Majlis Committee on Defense, Security, and Anti-Corruption, stated that the signing of bilateral military documents with other Turkic states is not excluded:
“Azerbaijan is a member of the Non-Aligned Movement. This means that Azerbaijan cannot join any military bloc. However, this does not exclude bilateral military cooperation with other countries. Today, there is the Shusha Declaration on strategic cooperation and military alliance between Azerbaijan and Turkey. Similar agreements can also be signed with other countries. Today, Azerbaijan attaches great importance to the integration of Turkic states and the expansion of cooperation. And there are plenty of examples of state unity on a national basis in the world. The Commonwealth of Nations led by Great Britain can be cited as an example. If the time comes, it is possible to sign such agreements with Turkic countries as well. Some time ago, joint military exercises of three Turkic states were held in Central Asia. The conduct of such military exercises and military cooperation is a growing and strengthening issue day by day”.
The MP noted that Turkic states are interested in strengthening each other's independence and occupying a worthy place in the global community:
“We are states originating from a common root. And we are interested in strengthening the independence of our states and occupying a worthy place in the global community. In this matter, we are ready to support each other in accordance with international legal norms. The continuation of cooperation with Turkic states is always on the agenda. And this is not a step directed against any third state”.
Hikmat Babaoglu, a member of the Milli Majlis Committee on Defense, Security, and Anti-Corruption, stated that ensuring regional security is a crucial condition in the context of new changes occurring:
“The memorandum agreed upon between the defense ministers of Turkey and Azerbaijan was approved by the Milli Majlis and will enter into force after the decree of the President of Azerbaijan. This also represents a further deepening of the Shusha Declaration on a military level. It creates an obligation for one party to inform the other regarding confidential military information. Therefore, ensuring regional security is a crucial condition in the context of new changes currently taking place in the region. Because a large economy and new infrastructure are also coming to the region. For this, security must absolutely be ensured. President Ilham Aliyev had noted that Azerbaijan bears responsibility for the security of the region. This, of course, is not possible without fraternal Turkey”.
The MP stated that the Azerbaijan-Turkey unity within the Organization of Turkic States has always set an example:
“Experience shows that this example being valid for other Turkic states has become a tradition. It seems to me that the President of Azerbaijan has made a call in this direction. At the summit of Turkic States held in Gabala in 2025, President Ilham Aliyev called for joint military exercises of the armies of OTS member countries. Undoubtedly, the next stage may lead to the signing of similar agreements with other Turkic states as well”.
Military expert Adalat Verdiyev emphasized that the memorandum approved by the parliament should be viewed as a document complementing the Shusha Declaration:
“Cooperation between Azerbaijan and Turkey is at the highest level. This can also serve as an example for other Turkic states. Naturally, the latest military memorandum signed between Azerbaijan and Turkey envisages activities aimed at a more detailed implementation of the tasks arising from the Shusha Declaration. In other words, this military memorandum should be regarded as a document complementing the Shusha Declaration”.
According to A. Verdiyev, it is possible to sign similar documents with other OTS member countries:
“It is likely that in the near future, such documents may be signed with other countries and, consequently, among OTS countries in general. If such a cooperation format is not directed against anyone, is not aimed at the territorial integrity or sovereignty of other countries, and serves only security, then the signing of this document with other countries would be a positive step. It is likely that in the coming years, we will observe the signing of such documents with other countries as well”.
Another military expert, Jalil Khalilov, emphasized that Azerbaijan primarily prefers bilateral cooperation:
“We have extensive bilateral relations with some states on military and economic matters. This includes relations with European states and CIS countries, in addition to Turkic-speaking states. However, naturally, in light of global processes, including Azerbaijan's goal of strengthening its military readiness, this cooperation with Turkey and Pakistan can take on an even larger scale. Furthermore, we have held several events with Uzbekistan. We have relations with Caspian littoral states, conduct exercises, and cooperate in this field. This includes the acquisition of military ammunition and its use in the Azerbaijani army. Or nuances such as the export of military defense industry products from Azerbaijan to the global market, or their sale to countries with which we cooperate, are significant. For this, opportunities for cooperation exist. Such information exists and will be provided to the press”.
The expert emphasized that military memorandums can be signed with Uzbekistan, as well as with other Turkic states:
“Relations between the naval forces of Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan are strengthening. This can further develop in the future”.
