Chingiz Veliyev: "Economic potential of Azerbaijan allows to hold military actions for a long period of time without NATO membership"

Today.Az, Azerbaijan
April 19 2008

19 April 2008 [14:14] – Today.Az

The position of Azerbaijani government, which does not hurry with
NATO accession, can be assessed as pragmatic enough, said independent
expert on macroeconomy Chingiz Veliyev.

"unlike our South Caucasus neighbors, the economic and financial
potential of our country allows it to hold military actions
independently for a long period of time", said he.

According to him, there has not been any threats to security and
stability of Azerbaijan, which may appear following submission of an
application for NATO membership.

"It should be noted that conflicts in Georgia and Azerbaijan have their
own moments. If for example, there is a high possibility of recognition
of separatist regimes in Abkhazia and South Ossetia only by Russia,
there can be several such countries in case with Nagorno Karabakh".

He said Armenia is a member of the Treaty on Collective Security and
at the same time it occupies a part of Azerbaijani lands.

"Will our NATO membership mean bombing of the aggressor by our new
partners? This is the least real than the statement that our football
players will soon become world champions!

I think NATO will turn our completely ineffective in resisting threats,
which may emerge in the north and the south of our country. Look! NATO
member-states, with population about 700,000,000 people, can not agree
on sending their soldiers to Afghanistan to fill the expedition corps
of about only 47,000 soldiers.

As for protection of our oil infrastructure, Americans will ensure
it without Azerbaijan’s membership in NATO".

He said Azerbaijan has its own funds for modernization of airports,
construction of roads and different infrastructures, ready to ensure
to rapid deployment of mobilized forces and the works are carried
out in this direction.

"Our country participates in various programs in the
framework of partnership with NATO. WE should not forget that
Azerbaijan’s implementation of oil and gas projects with Georgia’s
participation,promoted its attractiveness for NATO. Two ports Supsa
i Kulevi have been rebuilt by efforts of our country and work of
old once was revived. Supplies of cheap natural gas from our country
helped stabilize the economic situation in Georgia and saved it from
the deterioration of the situation.

Azerbaijan helped restoration of the region as an important energy
unit for alternative supplies of hydrocarbons to the EU countries. Thus
we are those who turn dreams into reality…", said he.

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