Xinhua General News Service, China
May 14, 2013 Tuesday 1:25 PM EST

Azerbaijan stages large-scale military drill

BAKU May 14

The National Army of Azerbaijan has launched a large-scale military
exercise near the frontline with Armenia, Azerbaijan’s Defense
Ministry said on Tuesday.

The exercise under the command of Defense Minister Safar Abiyev, which
involves both the army and the air force, will last until the end of
the week, according to a statement from the ministry.

The exercise will help further enhance coordination between the air
force and ground troops, and improve operational, technical and
administrative practices, said the statement.

The Azerbaijani-Armenian frontline is a contact line between the two
countries’ troops in Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding regions.

Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994 following
several years of conflict over territorial disputes.