YEREVAN. - Azerbaijani Defense Minister Safar Abiyev’s warlike statements indicate that Armenia-Turkey Protocols did not affect military cooperation between Ankara and Baku, an expert in Turkic studies Levon Hovsepyan told a press conference on Monday.

“Following signing of Armenia-Turkey accords, many experts forecasted deterioration in Azerbaijan-Turkey relations. However, despite certain political differences, military cooperation between the two states is developing actively,” he said.

The expert recalled that the two countries signed an agreement on strategic partnership and mutual assistance” in August, 2010. Today, official Ankara offers Azerbaijan both financial and logistical support.

As Armenian News-NEWS.am reported previously, during his visit to Turkey, Azerbaijani Defense Minister of Azerbaijan Safar Abiyev said Azerbaijan will not cede its territories. “It has mobilized its efforts to prepare its armed forces for liberating its land when necessary. Armenian armed forces must withdraw from Azerbaijani territories without any preconditions. All the Azerbaijani territories must be returned,” Abiyev said.