No plans to enter NATO, official says
Azerbaijan has no plans to enter NATO, an official
from the presidential offices has said. His comments follow earlier
reports that Azerbaijan was interested in NATO membership.
"The allegations regarding Azerbaijan seeking accession to NATO are far from a reality," Elnur Aslanov, the head of a President`s Office department told a roundtable, "Azerbaijan in the 21st century - the strategy of success" in Baku last week.
Over 60 representatives of the Caspian and Black Sea states attended the two-day event that took place at the initiative of Russia`s Eurasia Research Institute Development Foundation.
Yuri Krupnov, the head of Russia`s Strategic Development Institute, said in his remarks that the South Caucasus republic`s admission to NATO or the European Union was not going to happen. "Azerbaijan`s integration into the EU and accession to NATO is unrealistic."
Krupnov maintained that there were incorrect positions and views within CIS states regarding Western integration and they could be used for swaying media reports. "But, in reality, there is no such thing, and Azerbaijan`s accession to NATO is impossible for, at least, another ten years." He said it was necessary that Azerbaijan take into account Russia`s position on the issue.
"We are not talking about pursuing a one-sided policy here, but about forging a good relationship with Russia for the long term, and at the same time, about ensuring a bright future," the analyst said.
So far, Azerbaijan has joined NATO`s Partnership for Peace program and endorsed the Action Plan within the joint Individual Partnership Plan envisioning improvements in the military field, as well as political and economic reforms. However, Azeri officials are refraining from offering unequivocal answers to a possible NATO membership, saying this depends on the outcome of Georgia and Ukraine`s aspirations to join the bloc.
"The allegations regarding Azerbaijan seeking accession to NATO are far from a reality," Elnur Aslanov, the head of a President`s Office department told a roundtable, "Azerbaijan in the 21st century - the strategy of success" in Baku last week.
Over 60 representatives of the Caspian and Black Sea states attended the two-day event that took place at the initiative of Russia`s Eurasia Research Institute Development Foundation.
Yuri Krupnov, the head of Russia`s Strategic Development Institute, said in his remarks that the South Caucasus republic`s admission to NATO or the European Union was not going to happen. "Azerbaijan`s integration into the EU and accession to NATO is unrealistic."
Krupnov maintained that there were incorrect positions and views within CIS states regarding Western integration and they could be used for swaying media reports. "But, in reality, there is no such thing, and Azerbaijan`s accession to NATO is impossible for, at least, another ten years." He said it was necessary that Azerbaijan take into account Russia`s position on the issue.
"We are not talking about pursuing a one-sided policy here, but about forging a good relationship with Russia for the long term, and at the same time, about ensuring a bright future," the analyst said.
So far, Azerbaijan has joined NATO`s Partnership for Peace program and endorsed the Action Plan within the joint Individual Partnership Plan envisioning improvements in the military field, as well as political and economic reforms. However, Azeri officials are refraining from offering unequivocal answers to a possible NATO membership, saying this depends on the outcome of Georgia and Ukraine`s aspirations to join the bloc.
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