June 27, 2005 - 09:43 AMT
ILHAM ALIYEV: AZERI ARMY MOST EFFICIENT IN SOUTH CAUCASUS
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev stated that the increase of Azerbaijan's military expenses is conditioned by the transportation of the Russian armament from Georgia to Armenia. "It is true that the military equipment is not conveyed to Armenia, however this fact makes us undertake appropriate measures and increase military expenses", Ilham Aliyev said. In his words, this year the expenses will make $300 million against $175 million in 2004. "The strengthening of defense possibilities is essential for the settlement of the Karabakh conflict. "Our army is the most efficient in the South Caucasian region. We have achieved superiority and will consolidate our army. We use all the diplomatic and political possibilities, however the enemy should know that the Azeri army can be mobilized at any moment and can liberate the seized territories", Ilham Aliyev stated.