Top Russian, NATO generals to meet in Baku on December 12

BAKU, December 11. /TASS/. Head of the Russian General Staff Valery Gerasimov and NATO's Supreme Allied Commander in Europe General Curtis Scaparrotti will meet in Baku on December 12, the US Army General said at a meeting with Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev on Tuesday. "NATO's Supreme Allied Commander in Europe, Curtis Scaparrotti, expressed gratitude to the President of Azerbaijan for hosting a meeting with Chief of Russia’s General Staff Valery Gerasimov in Baku on December 12," according to the website of the Azeri President. NATO’s supreme allied commander noted that Baku is "rather a suitable place for a meeting in the NATO-Russia format". Scaparotti emphasized the importance of Baku serving as a site for such a meeting for the second time. "He pointed out that Azerbaijan is NATO’s reliable and active partner, highly appreciating the country’s contribution to the Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan, professional service of the Azeri troops in Afghanistan, and their participation in the exercises led by the alliance," reads the statement. Aliyev in turn said that he regards the choice of Azerbaijan as a platform for holding the discussion on important issues related to global security as a "manifestation of respect and trust." Read more