Azer Tag, Azerbaijan State Info Agency
Sept 9 2004

MINISTER OF DEFENCE RECEIVED DEPUTY COMMANDER OF THE US EUROPEAN
COMMAND
[September 09, 2004, 22:16:33]

On September 9, Minister of Defense of the Azerbaijan Republic
colonel-general Safar Abiyev has received Deputy Commander of the
United States European Command Charles Wald and delegation headed
by him.

As was informed into AzerTAj from the press-service of the Ministry of
Defense, the visitor has familiarized with the course of preparation
for field exercises “Cooperative Best Effort-04 ” which will be
carried out in the near future in Baku within the framework of the
program of the NATO “Partnership For Peace”.

General C. Wald has expressed confidence that these exercises would
pass successfully.

Colonel-general Safar Abiyev and general Charles Wald had exchange
of opinions on the present military-political situation in region of
the Southern Caucasus and events occurring here recently.

Having mentioned the relations between Azerbaijan and the USA,
the Minister of Defense has noted, that our country relies upon the
United States of America as strategic ally, and continues cooperation
with them in all fields, including in military sphere. The Minister
has expressed concern of our people in connection with the conflicts
proceeding in region, including the Armenia-Azerbaijan, still have not
found its settlement. Having emphasized, that the said conflict renders
negative influence on realization of the project of Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan
and other economic projects, he has told: “It is necessary to solve
this problem shortly. Everyone should realize, that Azerbaijan would
not concede to anybody and a span of the native land”.

General C. Wald has told: “You have truly noted. On the Southern
Caucasus still there are more many non-resolved problems. The
Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict concerns to them also. The given
conflict should find its settlement internationally. The USA, Russia
and Turkey should accept active participation in solution of the
said question. It is necessary to conduct joint struggle against
terrorism. We should take part together in the settlement of the
mentioned question. Problems of your country should be settled shortly,
and economic prosperity start in the region”.

Expressing his attitude to development of military links of
our country, Charles Wald has noted, that the USA attaches great
importance to cooperation with Azerbaijan in military area, and the
said cooperation will extend.

The sides have had comprehensive exchange of views on prospects
of military cooperation between Azerbaijan and the US, and have
emphasized necessity of strengthening of combat against the
international terrorism.

Ambassador of the USA in Azerbaijan Republic Rino Harnish took part
in the meeting.