FIRST VICE SPEAKER: AZERBAIJAN ATTACHES GREAT IMPORTANCE TO COOPERATION WITH NATO

Trend
April 12 2010
Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan attaches great importance to cooperation with NATO, said
the First Deputy Chairman of the Parliament of Azerbaijan.

"Azerbaijan’s cooperation with NATO is at a high level, and the
Ministry of Defence of our country conducts a number of activities
with NATO," First Deputy Chairman of the Parliament of Azerbaijan,
Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Security and Defence
Ziyafet Askerov said to a meeting with Rainer Stinner, Chairman of
the Sub-Committee NATO Partnerships (PCNP)

The head of the Azerbaijani delegation to the NATO PA Askerov said
that the country’s economic development, the reforms implemented in
various spheres further increases its international prestige.

"Currently, Azerbaijan is amongst the leading countries worldwide
for the level of economic development. However, in addition to this,
we have problems as well," said the first vice-speaker.

According to the committee chairman, Armenia ignores the resolutions
and decisions adopted in connection with the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict by the UN Security Council, the Council of Europe and other
international organizations. "Despite that the OSCE Minsk Group deals
with the issue of conflict solution, Armenia continues to dictate the
terms of international law, and if this continues so, Azerbaijan will
be forced to exercise its right to liberate its lands from occupation
by military means. Today, the world countries, instead of exerting
pressure on Armenia, do it with regards to Turkey. Various countries
try to call the events in early 20th century the "Armenian genocide",
but the world treats with indifference to Khojali genocide that took
place in 1992 against the Azerbaijani people. These countries should
give up double standards, should know the truth," he said.

According to Askerov, the aggressor should be punished according
to merit.

Noting that during this meeting he obtained new information on the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Stinner said that he supports peaceful
solution to the conflict. He said that if military operations begin
in the region, this can lead to unexpected results. "Members of the
NATO PA are ready to provide all possible assistance to resolve the
conflict," said the head of the delegation.

NATO’s cooperation with the South Caucasus states – Azerbaijan, Georgia
and Armenia is mainly carried out within the Partnership for Peace
Program, an Individual Partnership Action Plans and the Planning and
Review Process. "These documents define the objectives and intentions
of the partner countries to hold consultations with NATO on reforms
in the spheres of defense, security and military policy.

In addition to supporting the reforms, an important goal of
cooperation between NATO and Azerbaijan is to develop interaction
of the country’s Armed Forces with the forces of NATO countries in
peacekeeping operations.

Since 1999, the Azerbaijani troops have being providing support
to peacekeeping operations of NATO in Kosovo, and since 2002 –
in Afghanistan.