BAKU, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on Thursday met with Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the United States, the Azertac news agancy reported.
The meeting focused on bilateral military relations and political, economic, energy and security issues.
Gen. Dunford highly appreciated Azerbaijan's contribution to international peacekeeping missions and the transportation of goods to Afghanistan.
Aliyev expressed confidence that the general's visit would further strengthen cooperation between the two countries in the field of defense. The friendly bilateral ties will continue to develop, he added.
Gen. Dunford is scheduled to meet his Russian counterpart, Valeriy Gerasimov, in Baku on Thursday.
Dunford and Gerasimov will discuss a variety of issues, including the current state of U.S.-Russian military relations and the importance of consistent and clear military-to-military communication to prevent miscalculation and potential crises, said the U.S. side on Wednesday.
