Editor's note: second and sixth paragraphs were added.
Azerbaijan, Baku, Nov. 7 / Trend, T. Hajiyev /
The Azerbaijani servicemen Mubariz Ibrahimov and Farid Ahmadov have been buried in the second Alley of Honors. A farewell ceremony for servicemen has been held today in the education and training center of the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry.
The Defense Ministry's military band performed the national anthem of Azerbaijan. A gun volley was given. The ceremony was attended by the Defense Minister Safar Abiyev, National Security Minister Eldar Mahmudov, soldiers, public representatives and ordinary citizens.
The farewell ceremony was attended by over 1,000 citizens.
In an interview with reporters after farewell ceremony, the head of the press service of Defense Ministry Eldar Sabiroglu said that every Azerbaijani is proud of the deeds done by Mubariz Ibrahimov and Farid Ahmedov.
"I would like to thank their parents for bringing up such heroes. They behaved as the parents of heroes today at the farewell ceremony, and said they are proud of their sons," said Sabiroglu.
According to him, in Azerbaijan there are many of such young people, who by the first order of Supreme Commander are ready to defend their land.
Armenia transferred their bodies to the Azerbaijani side on Saturday.
Azerbaijani Armed Forces ensign Mubariz Ibrahimov showed heroism in an armed incident at the contact line between Armenian and Azerbaijani troops June 18, killing four and wounding four Armenian servicemen. The Armenian side earlier refused to return the Azerbaijani soldier's dead body.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev signed a decree to confer posthumous title of "National Hero" upon Ibrahimov July 22.
The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and 7 surrounding districts.
Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group - Russia, France, and the U.S. - are currently holding the peace negotiations.
Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council's four resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding regions.
Astrakhan hosted the trilateral meeting of the presidents of Azerbaijan, Armenia and Russia - Ilham Aliyev, Dmitry Medvedev and Serzh Sargsyan Oct.27. The parties have signed a declaration, which envisages the return of prisoners of war and takes a humanitarian nature with the mediation of the International Committee of the Red Cross and the OSCE Minsk Group.
Earlier, Azerbaijan transferred to Armenia the body of Manvel Saribekyan, who earlier committed suicide, while Armenia liberated Azerbaijani citizen Eldar Tagiyev from captivity.
Do you have any feedback? Contact our journalist at [email protected]
