A solemn opening ceremony of "Sea Cup-2017" international contest has been held at Seaside National Park in Baku as part of the International Army Games-2017.

Axar.az reports citing Ministry of Defence of Azerbaijan.

Participants in the event included servicemen, accredited representatives of foreign countries in Azerbaijan, and local residents.

Addressing the ceremony, chairman of the Organizing Committee of “Sea Cup-2017" international contest, deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces – chairman of Combat Readiness and Military Education Central Department Nizam Osmanov said “Sea Cup - 2017" international contest aims to strengthen confidence, develop cooperation, foster friendship and competitiveness, and improve combat capabilities and psychological readiness of the military personnel.

Minister of Defense Zakir Hasanov read out President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ilham Aliyev`s message of greetings to the participants of "Sea Cup-2017" international contest.

The minister then declared the contest open.

The contest involves ship teams of the navies of Azerbaijan, Russia, Iran and Kazakhstan, as well as representatives of the Turkish, Saudi Arabian and Bahraini armed forces as observers.