“NATO is satisfied with the level of the cooperation between the alliance and Azerbaijan,” Robert Simmons, the Special Representative of the NATO Secretary General on Central Asia and the South Caucasus, said to a news conference on the results of the negotiations with Azzerbaijan on Friday, Trend reports.
Simmons noted that the work on drawing of the plan on individual partnership with NATO was successfully carried out within the cooperation. He voiced hope that the first report on the work in this sphere would be presented in March 2005. The Special Representative also expressed satisfaction with the negotiations held with Azerbaijan. According to Simmons, the alliance supports comprehensive cooperation with Azerbaijan. The organization is ready to render technical aid to the country in reforming of defense sphere, particularly, conducting of structural changes, and effective expenditure of the budget of the Defense Ministry.
Touching upon the results of the parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan, Simmons stressed that the NATO welcomed the steps taken by the Azerbaijani government to liquidate violations.
He gave positive appreciation to the increase of the budget of the Defense Ministry. In his opinion, it is related to the increase of the public budget and can not impact on the peaceful process between Azerbaijan and Armenia.