Azernews.Az

Azerbaijan is a reliable partner for NATO, the alliance`s special envoy for the Caucasus and Central Asia, James Appathurai, said on a visit to Baku last week.

``Azerbaijani government has always been a reliable partner for NATO when it comes to transit -- both air transit and ground transit,`` Appathurai told reporters. ``We have agreed to do more together.``

He noted that NATO has started to draw down in Afghanistan, and most of its troops will be pulled out of the country in the coming years.

``The route through Azerbaijan has always been very dependable for NATO, while other routes have been less dependable,`` Appathurai said. ``We are very grateful for that. And I think there will be an economic benefit for Azerbaijan from the transportation of transit cargo to Afghanistan as well.``

Appathurai said further that Azerbaijan is pursuing a balanced foreign policy, maintaining good relations with all parties.

``From a strategic point of view, Azerbaijan has chosen strong partnership with NATO, and we support that,`` he said.

Regarding the possibility of Azerbaijan`s accession to NATO in the future, Appathurai said it is not up to him to decide on Azerbaijan`s goals. ``But as far as I am aware, Azerbaijan is not seeking NATO membership.``

Appathurai also said the third phase of the Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP) between Azerbaijan and NATO has been approved.

``We have had discussions on the IPAP. It has now been agreed and work has begun,`` he said.

Azerbaijan`s permanent representative to NATO Khazar Ibrahim told media that the third phase of the IPAP fully meets Azerbaijan`s interests.

``At present, there are no problems with its realization,`` he said.

Ibrahim said the third phase of the cooperation program covers such areas as defense, civil defense, public diplomacy and border security.

``We are working with NATO to develop our military and political capabilities,`` he added.

The cooperation between Azerbaijan and NATO began in May 1994 after the signing of the framework document, Partnership for Peace.

In April 1996, an official document was signed within the Partnership for Peace program outlining specific areas of cooperation between the alliance`s member states. In accordance with this program, Azerbaijan currently implements about 50 partner tasks.

On August 3, 2005, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev signed a decree on the IPAP`s approval. Azerbaijan and NATO have cooperated within the second phase of the IPAP, which was to cover the period 2008-2010.

Karabakh conflict

On the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, Appathurai said NATO is concerned over tensions on the contact line of Armenian and Azerbaijani troops in recent months.

Appathurai said NATO supports a mutually acceptable peaceful solution to the Karabakh conflict.

``There must be a political solution, and there will be no successful military solution,`` he said.

He noted that NATO is not directly involved in the negotiation process on the resolution of the long-standing dispute, but it supports the OSCE Minsk Group`s mediating efforts.

``We want peace between the two countries. NATO supports peace and security in the region. NATO stands for a return of IDPs to their homes,`` Appathurai added.

Appathurai attended the opening ceremony of Jeyranchol mine clearance project to be implemented jointly by NATO and Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA) in Baku.

In his speech the NATO envoy highly assessed ANAMA`s technical capabilities, and stressed that several relevant projects have been implemented with NATO`s support.