Top NATO official says Azerbaijan ‘turning into strong partner’
Azerbaijan is becoming a very strong partner for both NATO and the
European Union, said the chairman of a NATO Parliamentary Assembly
subcommittee.
"Today, Azerbaijan is the focus of world countries not only because of its geopolitical location, but also due to other aspects. Following the developments taking place here, we have been witnessing Azerbaijan's transformation into a rampantly developing country in recent years. From this point of view, we are delighted with Azerbaijan's turning into an even more powerful state," German MP Rainer Stinner, Chairman of the Sub-Committee for NATO Partnerships, told the press in Baku Monday.
"The objective of my visit is to become closely familiar with the developments ongoing in Azerbaijan and to exchange views on some issues," the sub-committee chairman said.
A 22-people-strong delegation comprising representatives of numerous NATO member states met with Azerbaijani Defense Minister, Col.-Gen. Safar Abiyev on Monday. Abiyev said Azerbaijan attaches particular importance to its cooperation with the alliance and integration into European institutions, and progress in these areas is being increasingly seen.
The minister also informed the NATO PA representatives about the tense military and political situation in the South Caucasus region. He noted that the stalling peaceful settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh is contributing to heightened tensions. "Azerbaijan will never reconcile with its land being under occupation, aggressor Armenia should realize this," Abiyev said, referring to the ongoing occupation of about 20 percent of Azerbaijani territory by the neighboring South Caucasus republic’s armed forces.
NATO is cooperating with the South Caucasus states - Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia - mainly within the Partnership for Peace Program, Individual Partnership Action Plans and the Planning and Review Process. The documents outline the objectives and intentions of the partner countries to hold consultations with NATO on reforms in the fields of defense, security and military policy.
In addition to supporting the reforms, an important goal of cooperation between NATO and Azerbaijan is to develop interaction of the country's armed forces with the forces of NATO states in peacekeeping operations.
Since 1999, the Azerbaijani troops have been assisting NATO’s peacekeeping efforts in Kosovo, and since 2002 - in Afghanistan.*
"Today, Azerbaijan is the focus of world countries not only because of its geopolitical location, but also due to other aspects. Following the developments taking place here, we have been witnessing Azerbaijan's transformation into a rampantly developing country in recent years. From this point of view, we are delighted with Azerbaijan's turning into an even more powerful state," German MP Rainer Stinner, Chairman of the Sub-Committee for NATO Partnerships, told the press in Baku Monday.
"The objective of my visit is to become closely familiar with the developments ongoing in Azerbaijan and to exchange views on some issues," the sub-committee chairman said.
A 22-people-strong delegation comprising representatives of numerous NATO member states met with Azerbaijani Defense Minister, Col.-Gen. Safar Abiyev on Monday. Abiyev said Azerbaijan attaches particular importance to its cooperation with the alliance and integration into European institutions, and progress in these areas is being increasingly seen.
The minister also informed the NATO PA representatives about the tense military and political situation in the South Caucasus region. He noted that the stalling peaceful settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh is contributing to heightened tensions. "Azerbaijan will never reconcile with its land being under occupation, aggressor Armenia should realize this," Abiyev said, referring to the ongoing occupation of about 20 percent of Azerbaijani territory by the neighboring South Caucasus republic’s armed forces.
NATO is cooperating with the South Caucasus states - Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia - mainly within the Partnership for Peace Program, Individual Partnership Action Plans and the Planning and Review Process. The documents outline the objectives and intentions of the partner countries to hold consultations with NATO on reforms in the fields of defense, security and military policy.
In addition to supporting the reforms, an important goal of cooperation between NATO and Azerbaijan is to develop interaction of the country's armed forces with the forces of NATO states in peacekeeping operations.
Since 1999, the Azerbaijani troops have been assisting NATO’s peacekeeping efforts in Kosovo, and since 2002 - in Afghanistan.*
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