Turkey’s national defense minister Hulusi Akar on Tuesday met with his Azerbaijani counterpart, Zakir Hasanov, in the capital Ankara, Anadolu Agency reported.

They discussed bilateral and regional defense and security issues, as well as cooperation in the defense industry.

Addressing a joint press conference with Hasanov, Akar emphasized the significance of the “Shusha [(Shushi)] Declaration” signed last June by the Turkish and Azerbaijani presidents, which gave bilateral ties between the two countries the status of an alliance.

He said the declaration “determines our future path and strategy,” adding that Turkey and Azerbaijan are continuing efforts to enhance “defense cooperation and military training.”

“Turkey and Azerbaijan, who are ‘one nation, two states,’ are doing their best to bring peace to the Caucasus,” said Akar.

“We want everyone to live in safety and prosperity by ensuring peace in the region as soon as possible.”

Hasanov, in turn, said the Turkish Armed Forces were helping the Azerbaijani military implement important “structural reforms.”

“The Turkish Armed Forces have provided great support to Azerbaijan in this regard. We have made strides toward our objective,” he said.