AzerTag, Azerbaijan
April 13 2005
DONALD RUMSFELD: `USA HIGHLY ESTIMATE PARTNERSHIP WITH AZERBAIJAN’
[April 13, 2005, 23:46:18]
As was informed from the press service of the Ministry of Defense, on
April 12, Minister of Defense of Azerbaijan, colonel-general Safar
Abiyev has met the US Minister of Defense Mr. Donald Rumsfeld.
Having conveyed to the visitor greetings of the President of
Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, colonel-general Safar Abiyev has taken
interest in position in Iraq. Donald Rumsfeld has noted that all
there changes for the better. He has told: `I also have met
representatives of the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan. I thank you for
their good service’.
Minister of Defense of the United States was interested in the state
of affairs with settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan,
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Minister of Defense Safar Abiyev has
especially noted, that in the question of resolution of the conflict
while there are no changes, that Armenia with the help of the patrons
continues to arm, does not wish to refuse aggressive claims and
ignores principles of international law. He has told: `In the near
future, the BTC Main Export Pipeline will be commissioned.
Uncertainty in the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is a
source of big threat to realization of the said project’.
Ministers also have discussed the military-political and public
situation in region of Southern Caucasus and Caspian littoral the
states.
Having taken interest in the state of affairs with integration of
Azerbaijan into the NATO, Donald Rumsfeld has noted that the USA
would always render to Azerbaijan assistance in this question.
Minister of Defense of Azerbaijan informed that the last year
President Ilham Aliyev has presented to the Secretary General of the
NATO the Plan of activity of individual partnership. Now, the given
plan is at the stage of discussion. He has told: `We aspire to
continuation of long-term cooperation in all areas and with the USA.
However, it is limited due to 907 Section to the `Freedom Support
Act’, which is still not cancelled. Azerbaijan counts the USA the
strategic partner’.
Donald Rumsfeld has told: `The USA also highly estimate this
partnership and are going to develop it’.
Then, the sides have touched of some questions interesting them.
At the meeting, also was present the ambassador of Azerbaijan in USA
hafiz Pashayev and ambassador of USA in Baku Rino Harnish.