NATO’s position on Armenian-Azeri conflict remains unchanged

NATO’s position on Armenian-Azeri conflict remains unchanged

Arminfo, Yerevan, in Russian
27 Sep 05

YEREVAN

NATO’s position on the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict remains unchanged,
the special representative of the NATO secretary-general in the South
Caucasus and Central Asia, Robert Simmons, has told our correspondent.

He said that NATO does not support any of the conflicting sides and
does not aim to mediate the settlement of the Nagornyy Karabakh
conflict. “We consider that the issue of settling the Nagornyy
Karabakh conflict falls under the jurisdiction of international
organizations and a solution to the issue can be achieved only in the
process of negotiations,” Simmons pointed out.

Speaking about the problems of the simultaneous joint participation
of Armenian and Azerbaijani servicemen in the Partnership for Peace
programme, the special representative pointed out that NATO’s
position also remains unchanged here. “Indeed, the simultaneous
participation of representatives from Armenia and Azerbaijan in NATO
exercises has created some problems. However, there are many other
exercises within the framework of the Partnership for Peace
programme, where the participation of the two countries’
representatives has not caused any problems,” Simmons pointed out,
adding that at the same time, NATO strongly supports the principle
that all Partnership for Peace exercises and programmes should be
accessible to all of its member countries which desire to take part
in them.

“We will continue defending this principle in all future exercises
conducted within the framework of the programme,” the NATO special
representative said in conclusion.