Romania continues mandate as NATO Contact Point Embassy in Azerbaijan
By Sara Rajabova
Romania has received the fourth mandate as NATO CPE in Azerbaijan (1 January 2015- 31 December 2016) according to the decision of the North Atlantic Council, the embassy said.
“In our view, the renewal of the NATO CPE mandate for Romania in Azerbaijan for the next two years represents recognition of the successful completion of the responsibilities assigned during the last mandate,” a statement by embassy reads.
Noting that it will continue its activity in this regard, the Embassy said it intends to organize further conferences and seminars focused on promoting values and principles that NATO stands for. “We will also continue to present to public opinion in Azerbaijan relevant information about NATO’s current agenda and security policy,” the embassy added.
Romania has played an important role in advancing Azerbaijan-NATO cooperation. During the last six years Romania has successfully played the role of NATO Contact Point Embassy in Azerbaijan for three successive mandates (since January 1, 2009 until December 31, 2014).
In its third mandate as NATO CPE in Azerbaijan, the embassy contributed to the development of dialogue and cooperation between NATO and Azerbaijan on various levels.
The activity of Romania as NATO CPE in Baku has been well appreciated both within the Alliance and by the Azerbaijani authorities.
Cooperation between Azerbaijan and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization has significantly developed, as Baku has become an important strategic partner.
NATO and Azerbaijan are actively cooperating on democratic, institutional, and military reforms, and enjoy practical cooperation in various areas. Azerbaijan aspires to achieve Euro-Atlantic standards and get closer to Euro-Atlantic institutions. Supporting reform in the security sector and establishing democratic institutions are the key elements of the NATO-Azerbaijan cooperation.
Romania acts in the position of a NATO member that can share its recent experience of Euro-Atlantic integration, presenting best practices and providing expertise on the implementation of reforms in the security and defense sector in accordance to NATO standards.
“Romania highly values Azerbaijan’s cooperation with the Alliance and its active role within the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council,” the embassy said.
Romania welcomes the cooperation of Azerbaijan with NATO and the active role taken by Baku within the Partnership for Peace, and particularly in the fight against terrorism, by supporting the international mission in Afghanistan, according to the embassy.
Romanian Embassy said the relationship between NATO and Azerbaijan has a strategic value, expressing confidence that the cooperation will strengthen in the coming years.
The 2014 year could be assessed as an important year in terms of the events for NATO and Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev visited NATO Headquarters on January 15, 2014 and had meetings with NATO Secretary General and with permanent representatives of NATO North Atlantic Council member states.
Furthermore, the other high-level Azerbaijani officials also visited NATO Headquarters and held meeting with organization’s high-ranking representatives.
NATO Foreign Ministers decided in April 2014 to further step up practical cooperation with Azerbaijan.
Some 60 parliamentarians from NATO member and partner countries, government representatives and independent experts participated in Baku at the 86th Rose-Roth Seminar on June 16-18, 2014.
Besides, a number of high-ranking officials from NATO visited Azerbaijan in 2014.
The cooperation plan between Azerbaijan and the NATO is set out in the Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP) on Azerbaijan.
The Azerbaijani peacekeeping contingent in Afghanistan doubled in 2009. Currently, some 90 Azerbaijani servicemen are serving in ISAF. A company and then a battalion of peacekeepers were established as part of the Azerbaijani armed forces in 1997.
Azerbaijan has also decided to broaden its activities in Afghanistan's non-military areas. Azerbaijan is among the eight partner countries that have confirmed their presence in Afghanistan after 2014.
In the past, Azerbaijan has also actively supported the NATO's operations in Kosovo.
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Sara Rajabova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on
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