Azerbaijan’s security minister meets senior NATO official
Azerbaijan's Minister of National Security Eldar Mahmudov has met the Deputy Secretary General of NATO Iklodi Gabor, who is on an official visit to Baku, the ministry reported on May 23.
Mahmudov noted the successful implementation of the Individual Partnership Action Plan with NATO and the development of bilateral relations, stressing that in this case the important role is played by the directions given by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and his decisions to intensify cooperation with NATO and accelerate integration into the Euro-Atlantic space.
The minister said Azerbaijan's fight against terrorism is one of the priorities of the Ministry of National Security and that Azerbaijan attaches great importance to strengthening ties in international security with the relevant structures within the Euro-Atlantic partner countries.
The minister informed the NATO official about the measures undertaken by Azerbaijan on security issues, as well as the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and its consequences, and stressed that this factor is also a serious threat for the security of the whole of Europe.
Then Mahmudov touched upon the issues of security of oil and gas pipelines and other projects of international importance, stressed the importance of close cooperation and mutually coordinated activities in this direction.
Iklodi noted that NATO is satisfied with the work carried out by the relevant government agencies, including the Ministry of National Security on the implementation of the Individual Partnership Action Plan.
The sides also discussed the issues related to subsequent development of relations between Azerbaijan and NATO as well as issues of mutual interest.