The Friendly Association of Azeri Cossacks (FAAC) has asked Republic President Ilham Aliyev to form a Cossack battalion within the National Army. Baku MPs have supported Cossacks. FAAC leaders do not conceal that the decision of the Russian State Duma, passed the Bill on State Service of Russian Cossacks in the first reading on May 18 – on the day of the 200th anniversary of the Don Cossacks’ capital of Novocherkassk. By the way, it is submitted for consideration by the MPs by Vladimir Putin. The document provides for service of Russian Cossacks in Armed Forces. The formations they will join will given traditional Cossack names. FAAC Chairman Victor Mereshkin explained that Cossacks of Azerbaijan has studied the bill and asked President Ilham Aliyev to lobby a similar one. «We are ready to do everything to assist the country leadership in solving the Karabakh problem. Karabakh should belong to Azerbaijan not only de jure, but also de facto,» Mereshkin said. In his words, there are 1.5 thousand Cossacks in Azerbaijan. He reported that according to the statute of Cossacks, representatives of other nationalities, including Azeris, can serve in Cossack battalions. Baku MPs have already stated they are ready to support the FAAC initiative. Milli Mejlis Deputy Mais Safarli urged to legalize the activities of local Cossacks. «Victor Mereshkin has fought in the Karabakh war at Azerbaijan’s part. All Cossacks he leads are people, who are ready to fight for Karabakh. They propagate Azerbaijan everywhere and have attained the support of Russian Cossack societies’ support of our country,» the MP said. In his words, in the near future the Azeri Parliament intends to discuss the matter of service of local Cossacks in a detachment within the National Army, the Novye Izvestia reported.
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