Centrum Stosunków Międzynarodowych - 21 July 2016: Azerbaijan provides building and structures to Turkish Military Forces in its territories

According to the protocols signed on June 3, 2016, between Azerbaijan and Turkey governments, Azerbaijan agreed to provide the Turkish Armed Forces with building and structures in its territories. One of the biggest local news agencies – APA reports on the issue that, Azerbaijan president Ilham Aliyev, signed a decree on approval of the protocols which provides Turkish Armed Forces with it in the military town of “GizilSharg” (Gyzyl Sherg) and a building at a military airfield in the district of Zeynalabdin Tagiyev. The APA reports that the president of Azerbaijan instructed the Ministry of Defense to implement the protocol. The news was highlighted and published as Azerbaijan gives a military base to Turkey in its lands in social media.

However, the respond came from Ramiz Tahirov, the deputy defence minister and commander of Air Forces of Azerbaijan. Ramiz Tahirov commented on some media reports that the military town located in Gyzyl Sherg is used since the 90s. And according to the protocols signed by president Aliyev, the building rented to the office of military attaché of Turkey in Azerbaijan. Giving foreign military base to any other country within Azerbaijan territories is against the law and agreements of the country. Ramiz Tahirov added to his comments that the protocol makes it possible to the rentier to make repair and construction works in the building.