Azernews.Az

By Nazrin Gadimova

Azerbaijan is an important partner for NATO, and Romania will always support the NATO- Azerbaijan cooperation.

This was announced by the Romanian Deputy Foreign Minister, State Secretary for Strategic Affairs Bogdan Aurescu during the "North Atlantic Alliance in the 21st Century. Perspectives of NATO summit in Great Britain" lecture held in ADA University on March 14.

He stressed that Romania is interested in strategic partnership with Azerbaijan in the future.

The event brought together Azerbaijan's Deputy Foreign Minister Araz Azimov, Bogdan Aurescu, ambassadors of foreign countries accredited in Azerbaijan, and other guests.

The main theme of the lecture was NATO's ability to respond to the existing conflicts in the region, particularly in the Eastern Partnership countries.

Addressing the event, Aurescu provided information on the activities of NATO and its cooperation with the Member States.

Saying the "Eastern Partnership" region has strategic importance, and therefore all the conflicts in the region, especially Ukrainian events are a major threat to the region, the Romanian secretary emphasized the importance of NATO member countries' joint action to resolve the Ukrainian crisis.

Araz Azimov, in turn, said all conflicts in the Eastern Partnership region must be resolved soon and within the framework of sovereignty and territorial integrity of states.

The deputy minister noted that Azerbaijan's interstate relations are based on international principles, adding that Azerbaijan attaches great importance to developing ties with NATO.

NATO and Azerbaijan are actively cooperating on democratic, institutional, and military reforms, as well as conducting practical cooperation in various areas.

The cooperation plan between Azerbaijan and the NATO is set out in the Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP) on Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan aspires to achieve Euro-Atlantic standards and get closer to Euro-Atlantic institutions. In this regard, supporting the security sector reform and establishing democratic institutions are the key elements of the NATO-Azerbaijan cooperation.

Moreover, Azerbaijan is among the eight partner countries that have confirmed their presence in Afghanistan after 2014. Peacekeepers of the country will stay in Afghanistan after the withdrawal of US troops from the country by the end of 2014. However, Azerbaijan will reduce its presence in Afghanistan after 2014.