First Deputy Chairman of the Azerbaijani Parliament: Azerbaijan attaches great importance to cooperation with NATO

"Azerbaijan's cooperation with NATO is at a high level, and the Ministry of Defense 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 on 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 among 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 the 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.


/Trend/