Azerbaijan, Baku, Dec. 12 / Trend , R.Novruzov/ NATO intends to enhance military security cooperation with Azerbaijan.
NATO Deputy Secretary General Claudio Bisognero will visit Azerbaijan to discuss with Azerbaijani officials the enhancement of military security cooperation. "My visit to Baku this week is a clear sign that the relationship between NATO and Azerbaijan is and remains important. NATO-Azerbaijan relations are in good shape and in the last few years we have been constantly deepening our cooperation," he said to Trend via e-mail on Dec. 12.
During his visit Bisognero will meet with Minister of Foreign Affairs Elmar Mammadyarov, Minister of Defence Safar Abiyev, Minister for National Security Eldar Mahmudov and also with the Chairman of the National Assembly (Milli Majlis) Ogtay Asadov to discuss security and deepening of Azerbaijan-NATO dialogue.
Relations between NATO and Azerbaijan were established in 1992 after accession of Azerbaijan to the North Atlantic Cooperation Council (renamed in 1997 into Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council - EAPC). The cooperation was steadily developing, following the Azerbaijan's accession to the Partnership for Peace Program in 1994. In addition to supporting the reforms, one of the key goals of NATO-Azerbaijan cooperation is to develop the ability of the country's armed forces to interact with the NATO forces in peacekeeping operations and crisis response. Since 1999, Azerbaijani troops have been providing support to NATO peacekeeping operations in Kosovo and since 2002 - in Afghanistan.
Have any feedback? Contact our journalist at [email protected]