BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb. 16
By Leman Zeynalova - Trend:
The US has rendered security assistance worth $100 million to Azerbaijan in the field of security within two years, US Ambassador to Azerbaijan Earle Litzenberger told the local media representatives, Trend reports.
"Because of our desire to help Armenia and Azerbaijan resolve the conflict and reach a peaceful settlement, our policy position has been that we would not provide arms to either country. We did not provide arms to Armenia and we did not provide arms to Azerbaijan. That was an understanding from our part of our responsibility when we were playing the role and continue playing the role as the Minsk Group co-chair. Our approach has always been that as long as the conflict remained unresolved, we would not be providing offensive military weapons to either side. That has not prevented the US from providing security assistance to Azerbaijan. We have provided significant amount of security assistance. In fact, over just a few years ago, in a two-year period we provided $100 million in security assistance. It was not weapons. It was equipment, training designed and has been successful in helping Azerbaijan to control its borders. We have provided X-ray scanners and other equipment to help Azerbaijan secure its borders. We’re looking to find ways to provide training and equipment to help the customs service. There is a large amount of illegal narcotics trafficking that comes up across the southern border. If you just look at the statistics published by the Azerbaijani authorities, you will see that in 2021 they doubled the seizures over 2020 and this year I think they are on track to perhaps triple the seizures. They’re doing it with the equipment and training we’ve provided to Azerbaijan." said the ambassador.