Azerbaijan to join NATO meeting on Afghanistan
By Rashid Shirinov
Azerbaijan will be among participants of a meeting of defense ministers of the states contributing to the NATO Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan, the Defense Ministry of Azerbaijan reported on June 28.
Defense Minister Zakir Hasanov will represent Azerbaijan at the meeting, which will be held in Brussels on June 29.
The peacekeeping contingent of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces has been serving under the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan since November 20, 2002.
Azerbaijan also allowed the NATO planes carrying non-combat loads for a mission in Afghanistan to fly through Azerbaijan's airspace and to use the country's airports. About 40 percent of all cargo destined for the NATO mission in Afghanistan pass through Baku.
The coordinated aid programs of the United States and European states aim to assist Afghanistan in establishing sustainable peace and development.
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Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov
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