Baku hosts landmark NATO conference
Baku hosted a conference on the occasion of NATO`s
60th anniversary on Thursday.
US Ambassador Anne Derse said in her remarks that Azerbaijan`s strategic decision regarding integration into Euro-Atlantic institutions could be considered as the most important one in the republic`s post-independence history. She emphasized that the country`s contribution to missions in conflict zones around the world -- from Kosovo to Iraq and Afghanistan -- have been sustainable and professional. "NATO is proud to consider Azerbaijan its partner."
Derse said NATO-Azerbaijan relations cover such issues as ensuring security and bolstering democratic values, as well as supporting political and military modernization and reforms.
The envoy stressed that Euro-Atlantic integration dwells upon a multitude of principles. According to the most important one, governments are to protect individual freedoms of each citizen, she said, adding that this is a core principle embraced by NATO.
Derse recalled that, in compliance with the NATO-Azerbaijan Individual Partnership Plan (IPAP), the South Caucasus republic assumed a commitment to upgrade its armed forces and national security structures. She added that meeting these obligations and the implementation of reforms in the military would provide an opportunity for Azerbaijan to be involved in the alliance`s operations.
Jean-Francois Bureau, NATO Assistant Secretary General for Public Diplomacy, reiterated that the bloc appreciated Azerbaijan`s contribution to its operations. Bureau said new areas should be outlined for expanding NATO-Azerbaijan cooperation as part of IPAP. "I am confident in the prospects of NATO-Azerbaijan relations."
Deputy Foreign Minister Araz Azimov said that as NATO`s active partner, Azerbaijan is implementing political and military reforms, adding that Baku has plans on further developing its collaboration with the alliance.
Further, Azimov said NATO membership remains an option for his country.
"But if Azerbaijan is unable to become a NATO member for certain reasons, why don`t we consider other angles of partnership? New projects regarding this partnership should be implemented. We believe that NATO has now focused its attention on the Islamic world, and Azerbaijan is of great importance in this respect."
Nikolae Ureche, the Romanian Ambassador to Azerbaijan, addressing the conference organized by his diplomatic mission, which is NATO`s coordinating embassy in the country, presented a report by the Romanian Foreign Minister. The minister has postponed his visit due to the latest developments in the region.
The report indicated that Azerbaijan is a very close partner of Romania in the South Caucasus. The Eastern European country intends to implement programs on water supply, food safety and cooperation between scientific centers and the development of NATO schools in Azerbaijan. Discussions on other issues are planned as well.
"Conferences on energy security, Euro-Atlantic security cooperation and other topics will be held in the near future," the report said.
In the document, the Romanian foreign minister also touched on issues of expanding the NATO-Azerbaijan partnership, stepping up European energy security and the alliance`s collaboration in the Black Sea region.
Further, he referred to regional conflicts. "Conflicts in the region are to find their solution within the territorial integrity of states. Azerbaijan, Georgia and Moldova are specifically included."
Azerbaijan joined NATO`s Partnership for Peace (PfP) program in 1994. The country is currently expanding its ties with the bloc within IPAP.
US Ambassador Anne Derse said in her remarks that Azerbaijan`s strategic decision regarding integration into Euro-Atlantic institutions could be considered as the most important one in the republic`s post-independence history. She emphasized that the country`s contribution to missions in conflict zones around the world -- from Kosovo to Iraq and Afghanistan -- have been sustainable and professional. "NATO is proud to consider Azerbaijan its partner."
Derse said NATO-Azerbaijan relations cover such issues as ensuring security and bolstering democratic values, as well as supporting political and military modernization and reforms.
The envoy stressed that Euro-Atlantic integration dwells upon a multitude of principles. According to the most important one, governments are to protect individual freedoms of each citizen, she said, adding that this is a core principle embraced by NATO.
Derse recalled that, in compliance with the NATO-Azerbaijan Individual Partnership Plan (IPAP), the South Caucasus republic assumed a commitment to upgrade its armed forces and national security structures. She added that meeting these obligations and the implementation of reforms in the military would provide an opportunity for Azerbaijan to be involved in the alliance`s operations.
Jean-Francois Bureau, NATO Assistant Secretary General for Public Diplomacy, reiterated that the bloc appreciated Azerbaijan`s contribution to its operations. Bureau said new areas should be outlined for expanding NATO-Azerbaijan cooperation as part of IPAP. "I am confident in the prospects of NATO-Azerbaijan relations."
Deputy Foreign Minister Araz Azimov said that as NATO`s active partner, Azerbaijan is implementing political and military reforms, adding that Baku has plans on further developing its collaboration with the alliance.
Further, Azimov said NATO membership remains an option for his country.
"But if Azerbaijan is unable to become a NATO member for certain reasons, why don`t we consider other angles of partnership? New projects regarding this partnership should be implemented. We believe that NATO has now focused its attention on the Islamic world, and Azerbaijan is of great importance in this respect."
Nikolae Ureche, the Romanian Ambassador to Azerbaijan, addressing the conference organized by his diplomatic mission, which is NATO`s coordinating embassy in the country, presented a report by the Romanian Foreign Minister. The minister has postponed his visit due to the latest developments in the region.
The report indicated that Azerbaijan is a very close partner of Romania in the South Caucasus. The Eastern European country intends to implement programs on water supply, food safety and cooperation between scientific centers and the development of NATO schools in Azerbaijan. Discussions on other issues are planned as well.
"Conferences on energy security, Euro-Atlantic security cooperation and other topics will be held in the near future," the report said.
In the document, the Romanian foreign minister also touched on issues of expanding the NATO-Azerbaijan partnership, stepping up European energy security and the alliance`s collaboration in the Black Sea region.
Further, he referred to regional conflicts. "Conflicts in the region are to find their solution within the territorial integrity of states. Azerbaijan, Georgia and Moldova are specifically included."
Azerbaijan joined NATO`s Partnership for Peace (PfP) program in 1994. The country is currently expanding its ties with the bloc within IPAP.
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