US general urges closer ties with Azerbaijan – agency

Trend news agency
1 Apr 05

BAKU

The USA wants to expand strategic relations with Azerbaijan, Deputy
Commander of the United States European Command Gen Charles Wald said
during his meeting with Azerbaijani Defence Minister Safar Abiyev in
Baku on 1 April, the Azerbaijan Defence Ministry press service has
told Trend news agency.

“I want the Azerbaijani Republic to rapidly develop and come closer to
the USA, Western countries and NATO. In this case, Azerbaijan will be
able to cope with the most difficult period of its history without
losses,” Wald said. Touching on the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict, the
general said that a diplomatic solution to this problem will be of
benefit to both countries.

Abiyev pointed out that the Azerbaijani side was in favour of a
diplomatic solution to the problem, but Armenia, being the aggressor,
is slowing down the peace process.

“Unfortunately, the international community is creating an opportunity
for Armenia to consolidate its hold on the occupied Azerbaijani
lands. Armenia is settling people on the occupied Azerbaijani
territories,” Abiyev said.

In reply, Wald pointed out that the USA has no doubts about that. “The
occupation of the territory of one country by another is illegal. The
problem is that this conflict should be solved only in a diplomatic
way. The USA will increase its attention to the settlement of the
conflict,” Gen Wald stressed.