Azernews.Az

BAKU – Azerbaijan has no intention to become a member of any military blocs, the foreign ministry spokesman has said.

Elkhan Polukhov said Baku would issue a relevant statement and sign a document on its non-accession to such blocs during a ministerial of the Non Aligned Movement (NAM) countries, which is due in Indonesia on May 25-27.

"Baku, which has stated its intention to accede to the Non Aligned Movement, is once again demonstrating its openness in foreign policy and its stance on military blocs," Polukhov told Novosti Azerbaijan news agency. According to him, other countries will take Azerbaijan’s position into account in maintaining relations with the country.

"Another key factor in this decision is the fact that the policy pursued by Azerbaijan is not a policy of aggressors. In Europe itself, there are a lot of instances whereby countries that have not joined military blocs are fully integrated into European institutions. At this point, Azerbaijan is not setting forth the task of admission to NATO or any other military bloc."

Polukhov noted, however, that the country’s cooperation with NATO will be continued as part of the Individual Partnership Plan (IPAP). IPAP envisions improvements in the military field, political and economic reforms.

"The policy of Azerbaijan’s integration into Euro-Atlantic institutions continues, but integration does not necessarily imply membership in any given organization," he said.

Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov will represent Azerbaijan at the upcoming meeting of the NAM member states. Besides Azerbaijan, Fiji is expected to join the organization at the meeting. Thus, the total number of NAM members will reach 120, of which 60 percent are United Nations member states.

Azerbaijan has had the observer status in the organization so far.