Today.Az » Politics » Chingiz Veliyev: "Economic potential of Azerbaijan allows to hold military actions for a long period of time without NATO membership"
19 April 2008 [13:14] - Today.Az
The position of Azerbaijani government, which does not hurry with NATO accession, can be assessed as pragmatic enough, said independent expert on macroeconomy Chingiz Veliyev.
"unlike our South Caucasus neighbors, the economic and financial potential of our country allows it to hold military actions independently for a long period of time", said he.
According to him, there has not been any threats to security and stability of Azerbaijan, which may appear following submission of an application for NATO membership.
"It should be noted that conflicts in Georgia and Azerbaijan have their own moments. If for example, there is a high possibility of recognition of separatist regimes in Abkhazia and South Ossetia only by Russia, there can be several such countries in case with Nagorno Karabakh".
He said Armenia is a member of the Treaty on Collective Security and at the same time it occupies a part of Azerbaijani lands.
"Will our NATO membership mean bombing of the aggressor by our new partners? This is the least real than the statement that our football players will soon become world champions!
I think NATO will turn our completely ineffective in resisting threats, which may emerge in the north and the south of our country. Look! NATO member-states, with population about 700,000,000 people, can not agree on sending their soldiers to Afghanistan to fill the expedition corps of about only 47,000 soldiers.
As for protection of our oil infrastructure, Americans will ensure it without Azerbaijan's membership in NATO".
He said Azerbaijan has its own funds for modernization of airports, construction of roads and different infrastructures, ready to ensure to rapid deployment of mobilized forces and the works are carried out in this direction.
"Our country participates in various programs in the framework of partnership with NATO. WE should not forget that Azerbaijan's implementation of oil and gas projects with Georgia's participation,promoted its attractiveness for NATO. Two ports Supsa i Kulevi have been rebuilt by efforts of our country and work of old once was revived. Supplies of cheap natural gas from our country helped stabilize the economic situation in Georgia and saved it from the deterioration of the situation.
Azerbaijan helped restoration of the region as an important energy unit for alternative supplies of hydrocarbons to the EU countries. Thus we are those who turn dreams into reality...", said he.
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