BAKU CALLS ON RUSSIA TO REGARD AZERI CONCERNS OVER ITS MILITARY COOPERATION WITH ARMENIA
Interfax News Agency
April 14 2008
Russia
Russia, as a member in the Karabakh settlement, should regard the
situation in Southern Caucasus when developing military cooperation
with Armenia.
"Russia is a co-chairman in the OSCE Minsk Group, and it should
understand the sensitivity of this issue [military cooperation with
Armenia]," Azeri Foreign Ministry’s press secretary Khazar Ibragim
told a briefing on Monday.
Azerbaijan has repeatedly informed Russia and other member states of
the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) about its concerns
over Armenia’s policy in the region, the diplomat said. "We noted
that they [other CSTO members] need to assume the fact that their
assistance merely bolsters Armenia’s aggressive policy," Ibragim said.
"We can say on our part that we do not have aggressive plans against
any country. At the same time Azerbaijan is capable to repel any
threat, and that is why it is increasing its defense capacity,"
the spokesman said.
A part of the Azeri territory is still occupied by Armenia, and
"Azerbaijan reserves the right to liberate it," Ibragim said.