Russia and Azerbaijani Special Services Cooperate Fully on Combating International Terrorism

In 2001-2002 Azerbaijani special services detained 38 nationals who had been drilled in the Pankisi Gorge in Georgia and participated in military actions there, Azerbaijani Minister of National Defence Namik Abbasov told Russian Security Council Secretary Vladimir Rushailo at a meeting on Wednesday.

"Azerbaijani special services were quick to react to reports about recruiting activity carried out by Arab and Chechen envoys on Azerbaijani territory. Assisted by Russian colleagues they took effective measures to clamp down on recruiters and prevent further cases," Abbasov said.

The Russian-Azerbaijani cooperation on combating international terrorism started long before the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2002 in New York, he noted.

The absence of reports on recruitment activity in the republic tells of the efficiency of the Azerbaijani Defence Ministry, Abbasov believes.