Ministry of External Affairs comments on North Atlantic Council meeting of Azerbaijan-NATO relations held on May 31

'Cooperation with NATO plays an important role in the reform of the security system of Azerbaijan'

Official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs of Azerbaijan told that partnership between Azerbaijan and NATO has a successful foundation.

The political and military partnership between Azerbaijan and NATO countries developed on the basis of the program "Partnership for Peace", and of the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council.

Azerbaijan’s active participation in the NATO Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP), Planning and Review Process (PARP) and the Operational Capabilities Concept (OCC).

“On one hand programmes like these opens opportunities for political dialogue between NATO and Azerbaijan and on the other hand increases the technical cooperation possibilities such as Azerbaijan modernizes its military potential within the cooperation with other NATO member states.”

Relevant reforms are conducted for the maintenance of international peace and security. It is worth to underline Azerbaijan's contributions to the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and Resolute Support missions aimed at ensuring peace and security, noting that Azerbaijan provides transit opportunities for NATO forces in Afghanistan.

'Azerbaijan has proved itself in cooperation with NATO'

Head of MFA Press Service also stated that NATO member states have enough trust in Azerbaijan.

NATO-Azerbaijan bilateral meeting on 31 May was an example of this. Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov represented Azerbaijan in this meeting from the tribune of the North Atlantic Council (NAC), the principal political decision-making body of NATO, addressing the geopolitical situation in the region and future perspectives of the cooperation.

'Azerbaijan has no intention to enter NATO'

While referring to the Azerbaijan and NATO membership issues head of MFA Press Service H. Hajiyev mentioned that despite the various comments we hear from the world mass media Azerbaijan’s position in this regard is clear:

Azerbaijan and NATO cooperation is mutually beneficial. Azerbaijan participates in training within the framework of NATO; however Azerbaijan does not set goals to join NATO or any other military union.

Note that since 2011Azerbaijan has chosen to join the non-aligned movement which means that Azerbaijan won’t be a member of any military block or alliance.

"Eurasia Diary"