BAKU DEMANDS SECURITY GUARANTEES FROM NATO

News from Armenia – NEWS.am
12:42 / 11/20/2009

Baku offers NATO to sign bilateral agreements with partner countries
on provision on security guarantees beyond the responsibilities and
commitments of the parties, Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Araz
Azimov stated on November 19, 2009.

According to Azimov, security in Euro-Atlantic area depends on joint
activities of members and partners of the organization. Otherwise,
it will be fraught with negative consequences for NATO structure
in future.

Countries willing to join NATO face certain threats, Azimov outlined.

He brought the example of August 2008 events in Georgia, noting that
partner countries in general and Azerbaijan in particular are crucial
for NATO.

Meanwhile according to him, there is an anxiety, that security of
countries like Azerbaijan is disputable. "It concerns not only
conflicts, but overall strategic plan as well," he said adding
"partnership with NATO is a guarantee of our security as the efficiency
of decision making process in NATO based on consensus "is outdated
and can lead the rupture in the alliance."