HOBBINS: I BELIEVE COOPERATION BETWEEN US AND AZERBAIJANI AIR FORCES WILL EXPAND

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
May 19 2006

Azerbaijan’s Defense Minister, Colonel-General Safar Abiyev today
received the delegation led by General Tom Hobbins, US Air Forces in
Europe commander.

The Ministry told APA that Mr.Abiyev said at the meeting that
Azerbaijan is cooperating with both Azerbaijan and NATO. The
cooperation with NATO is held in accordance with the Individual
Partnership Action Plan (IPAP). Touching on the military and
political situation in the South Caucasus, the Minister noted that
the Armenia-Azerbaijani conflict is main obstacle to the restoration
of peace and stability in the region.

“Armenia is pursuing a destructive policy by avoiding the peace talks
and keeping 20% of Azerbaijan’s territories under occupation,” the
Defence Minister stressed.

Mr.Hobbins satisfied with Azerbaijan’s achievement in partnership
with NATO stressing that successful implementation of the IPAP will
make Azerbaijan much closer to NATO.

“The objective of my visit is to closely familiarize with Azerbaijan’s
Air Forces. I believe the cooperation between US and Azerbaijani Air
Forces will expand,” Mr.Hobbins stressed.

US charge d’affairs ad interim in Azerbaijan Jason Hyland also
participated at the meeting.