Safar Abiyev
Encyclopedia
Colonel General
Safar Akhundbala oglu Abiyev ' onMouseout='HidePop("82796")' href="/topics/Baku">Baku
) is the current Defense Minister of Azerbaijan
, considered as one of the longest serving defense minister in the Commonwealth of Independent States
.
Minister of Defense when Minister Dadash Rzayev
was relieved of his duties on June 17, 1993. He worked as acting Minister until August 1993 when Deputy Minister Vahid Musayev
was assigned to lead the ministry but was soon sacked by Heydar Aliyev on August 25, 1993. Abiyev continued to serve as the Chief of General Staff until November 2, 1993 when the post was taken by Najmaddin Sadigov
. Abiyev was reinstated as Minister of Defense of Azerbaijan
on February 6, 1995 effectively replacing Mammadrafi Mammadov.
During Abiyev's tenure as Defense Minister, Azerbaijan has signed military cooperation agreements with Turkey, the US and Pakistan, among others. Abiyev speaks fluently ((Lezgi)) and ((Russian)).
In 2007 RFE/RL said that '..the longest-serving defense minister in the entire Commonwealth of Independent States, Abiyev has been repeatedly subjected to criticism for his imputed tolerance of endemic corruption within the military. ..He owes his survival more to his personal loyalty to the president than to any credible military competence, given that his tenure as defense chief has been defined by a long period of neglect, underinvestment, and marginalization of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces
.'
Colonel General
Colonel General is a senior rank of General. North Korea and Russia are two countries which have used the rank extensively throughout their histories...
Safar Akhundbala oglu Abiyev ' onMouseout='HidePop("82796")' href="/topics/Baku">Baku
Baku
Baku , sometimes spelled as Baki or Bakou, is the capital and largest city of Azerbaijan, as well as the largest city on the Caspian Sea and of the Caucasus region. It is located on the southern shore of the Absheron Peninsula, which projects into the Caspian Sea. The city consists of two principal...
) is the current Defense Minister of Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan , officially the Republic of Azerbaijan is the largest country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded by the Caspian Sea to the east, Russia to the north, Georgia to the northwest, Armenia to the west, and Iran to...
, considered as one of the longest serving defense minister in the Commonwealth of Independent States
Commonwealth of Independent States
The Commonwealth of Independent States is a regional organization whose participating countries are former Soviet Republics, formed during the breakup of the Soviet Union....
.
Biography
General Safar Abiyev was born in Baku. He graduated in 1971 from Baku's Higher Military College, and in 1982 from the Command Faculty of the Frunze Military Academy in Moscow, and has spent his entire professional life in the armed forces. Abiyev was appointed Chief of General Staff of Azerbaijani Armed Forces and actingActing (law)
In law, when someone is said to be acting in a position it can mean one of three things.*The position has not yet been formally created.*The person is only occupying the position temporarily, to ensure continuity.*The person does not have a mandate....
Minister of Defense when Minister Dadash Rzayev
Dadash Rzayev
Dadash Rzayev Garib oglu was Minister of Defense of Azerbaijan from February to June 1993 and is currently the Chairman of Confederation of Azerbaijani Officers in Reserve. His active service in the army lasted for 40 years, 37 of which were in the Airborne Troops.-Early life:Rzayev was born in...
was relieved of his duties on June 17, 1993. He worked as acting Minister until August 1993 when Deputy Minister Vahid Musayev
Vahid Musayev
Vahid Musayev Abdulla oglu was the deputy Minister of Defense of Azerbaijan and Acting Minister within the month of August , 1993.-Political career:...
was assigned to lead the ministry but was soon sacked by Heydar Aliyev on August 25, 1993. Abiyev continued to serve as the Chief of General Staff until November 2, 1993 when the post was taken by Najmaddin Sadigov
Najmaddin Sadigov
Colonel General Najmaddin Sadigov Huseyn oglu also known as Najmaddin Sadikhov, is the Chief of General Staff of Azerbaijani Armed Forces and Deputy Minister of Defense of Azerbaijan Republic...
. Abiyev was reinstated as Minister of Defense of Azerbaijan
Minister of Defense (Azerbaijan)
The Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan is the Azerbaijani government ministry, associated with the Azerbaijani military. The ministry is responsible for keeping Azerbaijan defended against external threats, preserving its territorial integrity, waging war on behalf of Azerbaijan , and the...
on February 6, 1995 effectively replacing Mammadrafi Mammadov.
During Abiyev's tenure as Defense Minister, Azerbaijan has signed military cooperation agreements with Turkey, the US and Pakistan, among others. Abiyev speaks fluently ((Lezgi)) and ((Russian)).
In 2007 RFE/RL said that '..the longest-serving defense minister in the entire Commonwealth of Independent States, Abiyev has been repeatedly subjected to criticism for his imputed tolerance of endemic corruption within the military. ..He owes his survival more to his personal loyalty to the president than to any credible military competence, given that his tenure as defense chief has been defined by a long period of neglect, underinvestment, and marginalization of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces
Azerbaijani Armed Forces
The Azerbaijani Armed Forces were re-established according to the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan on the Armed Forces from 9 October 1991. The Azerbaijan Democratic Republic had originally formed its own armed forces from 26 June 1918...
.'
See also
- Azerbaijani Armed ForcesAzerbaijani Armed ForcesThe Azerbaijani Armed Forces were re-established according to the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan on the Armed Forces from 9 October 1991. The Azerbaijan Democratic Republic had originally formed its own armed forces from 26 June 1918...
- Minister of Defense of AzerbaijanMinister of Defense (Azerbaijan)The Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan is the Azerbaijani government ministry, associated with the Azerbaijani military. The ministry is responsible for keeping Azerbaijan defended against external threats, preserving its territorial integrity, waging war on behalf of Azerbaijan , and the...