NATO-Azerbaijan cooperation developing successfully
By Sara Rajabova
Romanian ambassador to Azerbaijan has delivered a lecture on the perspectives of NATO-Azerbaijan partnership on country’s Shamakhi region.
Daniel Cristian Ciobanu paid a working visit to the Shamakhi region on May 1, the embassy said.
Asif Agayev, the head of Shamakhi executive power received the Romanian ambassador.
Ciobanu said Romania, which has been the second country in the world to recognize Azerbaijan’s independence, is interested to strengthen economic cooperation.
He highlighted the opportunities created by the project of the transport corridor between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea for boosting the exchange of goods and increasing the volume of trade.
During his visit to Shamakhi, Ciobanu delivered a lecture at the Azerbaijan Teachers Institute’s Shamakhi branch on the perspectives of NATO-Azerbaijan partnership.
A large public, including local officials, teachers, students and journalists participated at the event.
Ciobanu underlined that NATO-Azerbaijan cooperation is developing successfully and brings mutual benefits, adding that the South Caucasus is a region that is strategically important to NATO.
He said Azerbaijan and North Atlantic Alliance share many political priorities and are working together in dealing with security challenges. Ciobanu said global threats such as terrorism, trafficking, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and cyber-attacks require a cooperative approach.
Ciobanu further noted that emerging risks to energy security are of concern to NATO and Azerbaijan alike. He said from Romania’s point of view, there is a big potential for development of NATO-Azerbaijan relations in the coming years.
Romania fulfills the mandate of NATO Contact Point Embassy in Azerbaijan for the fourth time in a row.
Azerbaijan and Romania have a long history of relations dating back to the 15th century.
While the two sides enjoy good cooperation in multiple areas, the main focus has been on trade and energy links.
Romania also has been a strong advocate of Azerbaijan's future membership of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), pointing out the strategic importance of the country for trade and shipping, particularly with a view towards Afghanistan.
--
Sara Rajabova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on
Twitter: @SaraRajabova
Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz