POLITICS
US TO ALLOCATE 10 MILLION DOLLARS TO ENSURE SECURITY OF AZERBAIJAN
Noting that after waiver of the 907 section of “Freedom Support Act”, cooperation with the United States was strengthened and enhanced much more, the defense minister said that independent Azerbaijan actively cooperates with the European structures and NATO. Cooperation of Azerbaijan with NATO seems natural as the Country expands its relations with the United States, too. It means ensuring of security of the Country. For us, the most painful and dangerous question is the occupation of Azerbaijani lands by Armenia.
Colonel-general Safar Abiyev updated on the economy of Azerbaijan, including TACIS program, Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil and Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas pipelines, drew attention of the guests to the fact that the Armenian- Azerbaijani conflict threaten safety of these projects.
Expressing his gratitude for warm meeting, the retired general Charles Boyd said that the visit was of familiarization character and that “in the security issues we cooperate with the public and governmental organizations”. Our organization comprising also executives is interested in over 130 world countries.
The sides had a comprehensive exchange of views on organizing of security of the large economic projects being realized in Azerbaijan.
Noting that Azerbaijan is able to ensure safety of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan MEP, but, however, there is a great jeopardy for the international projects and therefore representation of all the Project participants in the safeguard is necessary, Mr. Safar Abiyev updated on the military-political situation in the region. He said: “According to the Agreement “On Conventional Forces in Europe”, certain limit was defined for the states. However, the aggressor Armenia violated this limit and continues armament under support of its patrons. Armenia places the obtained weapons and technique in the occupied lands of Azerbaijan. These territories are used for transit of drug trafficking and training of terrorist groups”.
Noting the development of Azerbaijan in many fields, General Charles Boyd said that government of the United States would recently allocate 10 million dollars to ensure security of Azerbaijan. “We stand ready to cooperate with you in the field of security”, he stressed.
Defense minister of Azerbaijan responded to questions of the guests.
Ambassador of the United States to Azerbaijan Mr. Reno Harnish took part at the meeting.