President Aliyev comments foreign policy of Azerbaijan

"I repeatedly stated that we have no such plans and the issue was not under discussion. The U.S. senior officials also hold the same position on the issue. Interested sides probably want to exaggerate it artificially," Aliyev said.

Aliyev also expressed satisfaction with the cooperation of the country with the NATO. "During 10 years we participated in the program on Partnership for Peace and have joined new program on cooperation recently. Action plan on individual partnership has been presented and new stage of the cooperation will start between Azerbaijan and the NATO," he added.

In reply to the question on a possible joining to the NATO, the head of the country noted that "we approach to all these issues from a real point of view".

"We know our real opportunities and events taking place in the region. We understand that our membership in the authoritative organizations is the issue, which might not be solved in a day. Nevertheless, Azerbaijan takes major steps to establish normal cooperation. Our relations with the Council of Europe and the NATO are on a very high level and satisfy us," he underlined.

As to the question on the steps taken by Azerbaijan to remove blockade in the regard to the Cyprus Turks, Aliyev stressed that "we want everything to be solved in fair way. We remember that at the referendum the Cyprus Turks supported unification of the country, while the other side voted against it. At that time the UN and other organizations proposed to end with the isolation. It is very important that Azerbaijan followed by other Turkish countries and after the members of the Islam Conference Organization will take similar steps".

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