SAFAR ABIYEV: "ALL TROOPS HAVE BEEN BROUGHT TO COMPLIANCE WITH NATO STANDARDS IN AZERBAIJAN"

Today
olitics/43776.html
March 17 2008
Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan’s Defense Minister Safar Abiyev has today received George
Lebel, chief of department of cooperation and regional security and
deputy chief of NATO’s international military staff.

The due announcement was made by the press service for Azerbaijan’s
Ministry of Defense.

S.Abiyev noted that currently all armed troops including land forces,
air forces, naval forces have been brought to compliance with NATO
standards.

The Minister noted that the military education of officers, as well
as all military trainings are held by these standards.

Touching upon the situation in the region, Abiyev noted that Armenia’s
non-constructive position hinders attainment of definite results in
the process of peaceful negotiation of Nagorno Karabakh conflict.

"Such situation may further increase tenseness. Azerbaijan will never
accept the occupation of its lands. We will make the occupant release
the occupied lands, even if by means of force", he said.