AZERBAIJANI PARLIAMENTARIANS RAISE ISSUE OF TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY OF AZERBAIJAN AND GEORGIA AT 55TH SESSION OF NATO PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY

APA
Nov 17 2009
Azerbaijan

Baku. Elnur Mammadli – APA. Azerbaijani parliamentarians raised the
issue of territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and Georgia at the 55th
session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly in Edinburgh, member of
the parliament Zahid Oruj told APA. NATO Secretary General Anders
Fogh Rasmussen made large report at the meeting. He talked about the
duties ahead, increase of contingent and security in Afghanistan and
relations with Russia.

Making a comment on the report, Zahid Oruj said military-political
balance was disrupted in the South Caucasus. He said territories of
both Georgia and Azerbaijan were occupied and Collective Security
Treaty Organization’s policy in the region proved that. The
parliamentarian characterized these steps as an action against NATO.

He emphasized the importance of Azerbaijan in the security issue
for the West and said the country was out of influence sphere of
Iran and Russia. "I stressed that Armenia fully became the Russian
military base. I asked whether it is time to create an opportunity for
normal cooperation with the South Caucasian countries with securing
their territorial integrity. The Secretary General said conflicts
in this region caused concerns and noted that NATO strategic plans
will particularly insist on territorial integrity and sovereignty
of the countries. He said they didn’t include speared countries in
this concept and would act on the basis of principles. He said they
normally approached security alliances between the countries. I think
it was positive case that this issue was raised at the Parliamentary
Assembly and that NATO Secretary General said future concept contained
points about the territorial integrity and sovereignty".

Former NATO Secretary General George Robertson also addressed the
session.