AzerTag, Azerbaijan

FM OF AZERBAIJAN RECEIVES USA DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE ON
EURASIA AFFAIRS
[September 16, 2006, 10:52:59]

Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan on 15 September received the USA Deputy
Assistant Secretary of Defense on Eurasia Affairs Mr. Jim MacDougall.

The guest highly assessed the reforms conducted in Azerbaijan in
military sphere, noting that the country comes closer to NATO
standards. Emphasizing that NATO is not only a military organization
and it also unites political elements.

Minister Mammadyarov noted that there is decisive move in the defense
sphere.

Highly estimating development in Azerbaijan, J. MacDougall pushed to
forward the importance of equal partner relations in the defense
field, took interest in the talks aimed at settlement of the
Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh conflict.

Informing the guest on major elements of these negotiations,
E. Mammadyarov, first of all, noted necessity of withdrawal of the
Armenian armed forces form the occupied Azerbaijani territories, and
then, return of refugees and IDPs to native lands and maintenance of
their safety, restoration of infrastructure and communications.

Noting significance of the ecological investigations to be conducted
by the international experts in the field o prevention of arsons,
committed by Armenians at the occupied areas, the Minister also stated
that would be sent experts of OSCE, UN and other structures.

Informing on the large-scale projects being implemented in the
Republic, including realization of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil
pipeline, completion of the Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas main, realization
of intensive works connected to Baku-Tbilisi-Akhalkalaki-Kars railway,
the Minister brought to notice that because of aggressive policy,
Armenia remained out of this projects.

In meeting, also discussed were a range of issues representing mutual
interest.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress