NATO SUPPORTS EFFORTS AIMED AT PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT OF CONFLICTS IN SOUTH CAUCASUS AND MOLDOVA
ArmInfo
2009-04-06 11:02:00
ArmInfo. NATO supports the efforts aimed at peaceful settlement
of conflicts in the South Caucasus and Moldova, the final document
adopted upon the results of NATO summit in Strasbourg, says.
As NATO press service reports, the document says: "We remain
concerned with the persistence of protracted regional conflicts in
the South Caucasus and the Republic of Moldova. It is essential for
all parties in these regions to engage constructively in peaceful
conflict resolution. We call on them all to avoid steps that undermine
regional security and stability, and to respect the current negotiation
formats. We continue to support the territorial integrity, independence
and sovereignty of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia and the Republic of
Moldova, and will also continue to support efforts towards a peaceful
settlement of these regional conflicts, taking into account these
principles. We welcome OSCE efforts and processes in these regions,
to which the Caucasus Stability and Cooperation Platform could be a
useful complement".
Moreover, new Secretary General has been elected at the summit –
Prime Minister of Denmark , Anders Fogh Rasmussen. His candidacy has
been supported by the USA and the leading west-European countries,
while Turkey argued against his election because of his stance during
the scandal with publication of the prophet Mohammed caricatures in
the Danish newspaper.
During the hours-long working meeting of the summit, the heads of
NATO states succeeded to persuade President of Turkey Abdullah Gul
to agree with the candidacy of Anders Fogh Rasmussen. To note, the
powers of the present NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer
expire on July 31, 2009.