BAKU, Azerbaijan - A delegation from NATO’s Partnerships Directorate visited Baku in the Republic of Azerbaijan from Nov. 20 to 25, 2022 to highlight all opportunities NATO offers the Partner Nation.
I must congratulate the Azerbaijani Forces for their excellent progress, where various force components have successfully achieved full operational capability, through our Partnerships Operational Capability Concept scheme
The Partnerships team, invited by the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defence, visited the National Defence University, the Land Forces Peace Keeping Brigade and Headquarters Naval Forces base. On the Nov. 21, Rear Admiral Gunnstein Bruåsdal, Deputy Chief of Staff SHAPE Partnerships Directorate met with Chief of the General Staff Azerbaijani Armed Forces, Colonel General Karim Valiyev.
Colonel Igor Tabulov-Truta, Branch Head SHAPE Partnerships Country Engagement briefs Azerbaijani Forces during NATO Days in Baku from Nov. 20 to 25, 2022. - NATO Photo by SHAPE Public Affairs Office
Azerbaijani Forces take part in briefings during a NATO Days Programme by NATO's Partnerships Directorate in Baku - Photo by Azerbaijani Ministry of Defence
Deputy Chief of Staff SHAPE Partnerships Directorate, Rear Admiral Gunnstein Bruåsdal and International Military Staff Colonel Kjell Hauan participate in NATO Days in Azerbaijan - Photo by Azerbaijani Ministry of Defence
“I must congratulate the Azerbaijani Forces for their excellent progress, where various force components have successfully achieved full operational capability, through our Partnerships Operational Capability Concept scheme. This is a great achievement,” said Colonel Igor Tabulov-Truta, Branch Head SHAPE Partnerships Country Engagement.
"Our NATO Days programme at each location has not only allowed us to brief our audiences on topics of mutual interest, but equally we have been able to see first-hand the professionalism and commitment displayed by the men and women of the Azerbaijan Armed Forces, across all ranks. Azerbaijan has been and continues to be a strong NATO partner where contributions to NATO missions and operations, and filling key staff positions, are always significant," added Colonel Tabulov-Truta.
The NATO Days in Azerbaijan programme provides an invaluable platform for updating the nation on all activities and opportunities available to the partner nation, and, where selected forces can further participate in training, exercises and support in all Military Cooperation activities. Through the Operational Capabilities Concept (OCC) Evaluation and Feedback Programme, nations are trained to develop partner land, maritime, air or Special Operations Forces that seek to meet NATO standards. Azerbaijan has been part of this programme since 2004 with 2023 proving to be a very productive year for NATO Azerbaijani initiatives.