BAKU HOSTS “NATO – ALLIANCE OF FULL POLITICAL MATURITY” INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
Baku, April 10 (AZERTAC). An international conference entitled “NATO - Alliance of Full Political Maturity” was held here on Thursday to mark the 60th anniversary of the organization.
Organized by the Romanian Embassy to Baku the conference brought together NATO Assistant Secretary General for Public Diplomacy Jean-Francois Bureau, Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Araz Azimov, and first Vice-Speaker of Parliament Ziyafet Asgarov as well as foreign ambassadors, officials and NGO representatives.
Speaking to the event, Araz Azimov said as NATO`s active partner official Baku had been conducting effective military and political reforms.
Azimov pointed out his country has plans to boost cooperation with NATO, saying “we are considering possibilities for intensifying our involvement in military and civil operations of the alliance”.
“Recently the government has considered the issue of rendering assistance to Afghanistan, and we are also considering making amendments to the Partnership for Peace program and this will correspond to NATO`s interests” he added.
Azimov said official Baku has been cooperating with NATO since 1994, adding “Azerbaijan was one of the first countries to join the Individual Partnership Action Plan”.
He also said the country is carrying out reforms to bring its military in line with NATO standards.
“Azerbaijani soldiers are making their contribution to establishing peace in regions of conflict across the world,” said the deputy FM.
Azimov also called NATO to strengthen its ties with Muslim countries.
Romanian Ambassador in Baku Nicolae Ureche read out an address by Romania`s Foreign Minister Cristian Diaconescu who voiced support for Azerbaijan`s integration into Euro-Atlantic space.
NATO Assistant Secretary General for Public Diplomacy, Jean-Francois Bureau, said the alliance praises Azerbaijan`s contribution to its operations. He pointed out there is a need to define new areas for expanding cooperation within Partnership for Peace Program.
“We are seeking promising areas of future cooperation with Azerbaijan,” he said.
Anne Derse, US Ambassador to Azerbaijan, said “NATO is proud of considering Azerbaijan its partner”. “Azerbaijan`s strategic decision to integrate into Euro-Atlantic institutions can be considered as the most important decision in its history of independence,” the American diplomat noted.
She praised the level of the Azerbaijan-NATO relations, saying it contributes to both strengthening security and democracy, boosting political and military development and supporting reforms.
Chief of the Romanian Foreign Ministry`s department Daniel Lonita vowed his country will share with Azerbaijan its experience of cooperation with NATO.
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