AZERBAIJAN-NATO COOPERATION SERVES PEACE PROCESS
Strictly ten years ago, during his visit to Belgium, President Heydar Aliyev signed the Framework document on “Partnership for Peace” Program of NATO at the HQ of this Organization in Brussels.
Our country’s joining this Program considering wide scale cooperation with the Alliance is one of the landmark events of the independence period, Deputy Foreign Minister Araz Azimov told AzerTAj reporter. In the passed years, Azerbaijan both continued political dialogue with NATO and established practical ties in the framework of the “Partnership for Peace” Program. The Commission set up on the Decree of national leader Heydar Aliyev, dated 14 November 1997, leads these arrangements on cooperation with NATO. According to the mentioned Decree, Azerbaijan Republic has joined NATO’s Planning and Analyze process.
During ten years, Azerbaijan has created a platoon to take part in the peacemaking operations. Heads of NATO have visited Azerbaijan and conducted workshops and trainings in the country.
During this time, the NATO/PfP Information Center was opened in Baku. Also discussed were the issues of development of NATO-Azerbaijan relations in format “19+1”, elaboration of cooperation program on non-proliferation of mass destruction weapons, combat against terrorism, illegal migration and others.
Azerbaijan takes part in peacemaking operations in different countries. Peacemaking units of Azerbaijan in staff of Turkish troops perform their duties in Iraq and Afghanistan. Similar arrangements promote Azerbaijani servicemen to acquire military experience.
Cooperation with NATO bears peace-loving character. Even the bilateral cooperation does not have any threat for the third side, Mr. Azimov stressed.
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