By Riffat Kausar
Scandinavian News Agency
Finland
The Azerbaijani army is steadily advancing toward NATO standards, marking a new phase in the nationโs defense evolution.
During a recent meeting with NATO representatives, President Ilham Aliyev stated that Azerbaijan has fulfilled
one of its primary national objectives since independence in the early 1990s the liberation of its occupied
territories.
Azerbaijanโs cooperation with NATO began in 1992 and has continued to grow stronger over the years. This
collaboration now covers various areas, including military training, strategic planning, and operational
exercises.
In June 2025, Azerbaijan and NATO conducted a joint training session on military operations planning. Later,
between July and August, Azerbaijani forces participated in NATOโs Agile Spirit exercises held in Georgia, further
solidifying the countryโs defense cooperation with the Alliance.





