Azeri, Armenian presidents invited to NATO PA session

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
May 5 2006

Baku, May 4, AssA-Irada — The NATO Parliamentary Assembly President
Pierre Lelouche has invited Azerbaijani and Armenian leaders to a
plenary session of the Assembly due in Paris late in May. President
Ilham Aliyev has accepted the invitation and will visit the French
capital for the purpose, the Radio Liberty reported.

Lelouche said NATO backs peace in the South Caucasus. The alliance
believes it is therefore essential to hold meetings on the level
of presidents to discuss settlement of the Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh
conflict.

“In Paris, we will look for ways of resolving the conflict, which
is very destructive. We need stability in the Caucasus. I have been
in trenches in Garabagh and know how hard it is for both peoples. I
am aware of the problems faced by refugees in Azerbaijan and regret
their plight.”

Touching upon NATO-Azerbaijan relations, Lelouche said the issue
should be considered if Azerbaijan is willing to be admitted to NATO.

The country is an associate member of the Assembly and bilateral
cooperation is on a high level, the PA president added.*