Fergus Auld: UK, Azerbaijan have new prospects for defense cooperation

UK Ambassador to Azerbaijan Fergus Auld said there are new promising areas for developing defense cooperation between the United Kingdom and Azerbaijan.

Answering Report's question at a farewell meeting with Azerbaijani journalists, Auld said UK Minister of State for Defence Vernon Coaker visited Azerbaijan in December 2025.

He said Coaker held meetings with Azerbaijan's defense minister, a number of senior representatives of defense agencies, and President Ilham Aliyev.

Auld said an Azerbaijani delegation later visited London in early 2026. As part of the visit, Defense Industry Minister Vugar Mustafayev and Deputy Defense Minister Agil Gurbanov were received, he added.

He said part of the discussions focused on developing cooperation in the military field and the defense industry complex.

The ambassador also recalled that Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry and the UK Ministry of Defense signed a bilateral cooperation plan covering 2026/27 several months ago. He said the document confirmed the transition to a deeper strategic partnership.

Auld added that there were also new promising areas where the two countries could develop defense cooperation.