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Azerbaijan keeps on supporting peacekeeping operations in Afghanistan

22 August 2014 12:47 (UTC+04:00)
Azerbaijan keeps on supporting peacekeeping operations in Afghanistan

By Sara Rajabova

The situation in the South Caucasus region, as well as Azerbaijan's contribution to the peacekeeping operations in Afghanistan was the main topic of discussion between Azerbaijan and U.S. officials.

Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov received a delegation led by Chief of the U.S. Transportation Command General Paul Selva on August 21, the Ministry said.

Azerbaijan's contributions to the operations of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan (ISAF) were highly appreciated at the meeting.

As one of the main safe and secure transit routes for ISAF, Azerbaijan has been providing support in the field of transport and traffic to the members and partners of NATO, including the United States. The sides expressed satisfaction on that occasion.

The Azerbaijani peacekeeping contingent in Afghanistan doubled in 2009. Currently, some 90 Azerbaijani servicemen are serving in ISAF. A company and then a battalion of peacekeepers were established as part of the Azerbaijani armed forces in 1997.

Azerbaijan is among the eight partner countries that have confirmed their presence in Afghanistan after 2014. Peacekeepers of the country will stay in Afghanistan after the withdrawal of U.S. troops from the country by the end of 2014.

Mammadyarov said Azerbaijan will provide necessary support for transit in connection with the operations in Afghanistan as a partner. He further added that transit opportunities will increase with the construction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway and the new sea port in Alat.

Selva, for his turn, expressed gratitude for the cooperation and support of Azerbaijan, noting that the favorable geographical location of Azerbaijan and developing transport infrastructure of the country have left a good impression of cooperation. He stressed that all these have good prospects, especially from the business and trade point of view.

Other issues of mutual interest were also discussed at the meeting.

On the same day, Azerbaijani Defense Minister, Colonel-General Zakir Hasanov received the U.S. delegation, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said.

Hasanov informed the U.S. officials about the situation in the region, the continuing aggressive policy of Armenia, its violations of the ceasefire on the frontline and diversion of troops.

Tensions along the frontline were aggravated as Armenian armed forces attacked Azerbaijani positions. Armenia began to escalate tensions on the border areas on July 31. Sporadic fighting has continued ever since. Fourteen Azerbaijani servicemen were killed and several others injured during the clashes between two sides. Armenia hasn't released yet the exact number of its casualties.

Hasanov further expressed his satisfaction with the positive results of bilateral cooperation and the expansion of mutual ties.

Selva, then thanked Azerbaijan for its contribution to the operations of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan (ISAF). He described the effective military cooperation between the parties as exemplary.

The sides also exchanged views on other issues of bilateral cooperation.

Since Azerbaijan's emergence as an independent nation in 1991, the U.S.-Azerbaijan relationship has evolved into a strategic partnership based on mutual interests and common values.

At present, Azerbaijan-U.S. relations are developing rapidly.

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