Azernews.Az

By Laman Ismayilova

Chief of Staff of the NATO Allied Land Command Major General Erhan Uzun met with the Azerbaijani peacekeepers in Baku.

He pays visit to Azerbaijan due to NATO 2nd level evaluation exercise of Azerbaijan Armed Forces’ infantry battalion as part of Operational Capabilities Concept program.

Uzun praised Azerbaijan-NATO cooperation, the country’s contribution to international peacekeeping operations and the professionalism of servicemen in those operations. He also stressed Azerbaijan’s efforts towards the restoration of international peace and security.

The history of Azerbaijan-NATO relationship dates back to March 1992 when Azerbaijan together with some Central and Eastern European countries, joined a newly established consultative forum – the North Atlantic Cooperation Council (NACC), which was transformed into the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council later in 1997.

Azerbaijan's cooperation with NATO is carried out in the framework of the Partnership for Peace program.

The country makes significant contributions to freight transport for peacekeeping operations, while Azerbaijani servicemen contribute to ensuring security in Afghanistan.

Besides, NATO keeps in the focus the issue of security of the oil and gas pipelines in the South Caucasus region that pass through the territory of Azerbaijan as well.

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Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Lam_Ismayilova

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