Defense Minister receives US Armed Forces Commander Norton Schwartz

As APA reports, Minister Abiyev said Azerbaijan considers it priorities to integrate into European security structures as well as bilateral cooperation with NATO and US. Stating that the inauguration of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) oil pipeline will take place soon, Abiyev said this important economic project could not have been implemented without US participation.

The Azerbaijani Defense Minister also touched on the OSCE's position regarding the solution of the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

"Despite OSCE's efforts to solve the conflict, regrettably, no results have been achieved yet." Considering the USA's being co-chair in the organization, I would like the activity to increase in this direction, the conflict to find its solution on the base of legal norms and in justice way. Saying regular and planned cooperation of Azerbaijan, Safar Abiyev stated that these attitudes are implemented within "Partnership for Peace Program" of NATO.

In his turn, Schwartz stressed that launching of BTC commissioning will be profitable for all parties. He said that, divisions of Azerbaijan Armed Forces cooperate with USA Armed Forces the most advanced and selected divisions.

Schwartz expressed gratitude to the state of Azerbaijan for participation of Azerbaijan Armed forces divisions in Afghanistan and Iraq in an international anti-terror coalition.

Military- political situation in the South Caucasus, Azerbaijan-USA military cooperation perspectives discussed in the meeting. The USA charge d'affaires ad interim in Azerbaijan, Jason Hyland, also participated in the meeting.