By Ash Obel
TEL AVIV (Times of Israel) — Defense Minister Benny Gantz on October 3 wrapped up an official visit to Azerbaijan, where he met with the country’s President Ilham Aliyev and his Azeri counterpart, Zakir Hasanov.
Gantz’s visit focused on security and policy issues, with the aim of fostering defense cooperation between Jerusalem and Baku, according to his office.
During the visit, Gantz also met with the Chief of the State Border Service Colonel General Elchin Guliyev and visited a State Border Service headquarters.
Gantz used his visit to “emphasize the importance of maintaining strategic relations between the State of Israel and the Republic of Azerbaijan,” and “reflected on the changes in the Middle East region following the signing of the Abraham Accords,” a statement from his office said.
He and officials in Azerbaijan also “discussed Israel’s developing ties with Turkey and additional countries in the region and the world.”