NATO Secretary General considers Armenians’ participation in seminar necessary
Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Nov 8 2004
NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer’s visit to Baku completed
on Friday. Prior to his departure to Yerevan, Scheffer told a news
briefing at the Heydar Aliyev Airport of Baku that he was satisfied
with the visit.
In his meetings with President Ilham Aliyev and Foreign Minister Elmar
Mammadyarov, views were exchanged on expanding the NATO-Azerbaijan
relations, prospects for cooperation within the Silk Way and
protecting the environment. There are no obstacles for NATO-Azerbaijan
collaboration, Scheffer said.
Scheffer said NATO does not plan to station military bases in
Azerbaijan. He said the organization will continue supporting
Azerbaijan both within the Partnership for Peace program and the
future bilateral cooperation plan.
Touching upon the Upper Garabagh conflict settlement, the NATO
Secretary General said the issue was discussed at the meetings.
Although NATO will not be directly involved in resolving the problem,
its allies honor Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity. Scheffer said
he supports a speedy settlement of the conflict which has caused
sufferings of people for many years.
“Baku is an important partner for NATO and we are ready to discuss
and support Azerbaijan’s initiatives at deepening this collaboration.”
Expressing his position on the Armenian parliament members’ planned
participation in the NATO seminar in Baku, Scheffer said that although
his authority does not cover issue, he considers their participation
necessary.
“Attendance of such seminars by willing guests is acceptable”,
he said.*
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress