Azerbaijan will end possible military reforms by 2015 to coincide with NATO standards

According to the report, Azerbaijan's military expenses were $135mln in 2003, $310mkn in 2005 and increased by $673mln in 2006, and $871mln in 2007, APA reports.

"Official Baku is eager to integration into NATO. If military reform is not accelerated, we can not speak of NATO membership. Azerbaijan also states it is not ready to be the member of the alliance yet and will end military reform necessary for coinciding with NATO standards by 2015," it says.

But Defense Ministry does not accept the issue raised in the report of Forecast International on membership to NATO. Ministry’s press service's chief, Colonel Lieutenant Eldar Sabiroglu told the APA Azerbaijani Armed Forces undergo reforms in accordance with NATO standards.

"The opinions of report's author do not reflect the truth. Military cooperation between Azerbaijan and NATO is developing on several programs. Reforms are being carried out in the Armed Forces. The whole State Structure of Military Air Forces and Naval Forces coincide with NATO system. Educational institutions, military schools, polygons are coordinated with NATO standards," he said.

Sabiroglu also underlined that the author of the report thinks so, as he was not well informed on the implemented measures.