GENERAL CHARLES WALD MEETS WITH MINISTER OF DEFENSE
According to the Ministry’s press-service, the Minister expressed satisfaction with frequent visits of U.S. delegations to Azerbaijan, and mentioned that after September 11 events, the country joined the US-led anti-terror coalition, and following the waiver of section 907 of the Freedom Support Act, active cooperation has been established between the two countries.
General-Colonel Safar Abiyev updated the U.S. delegation on the political and military situation in South Caucasus, and noted the unresolved Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict aggravates the tension. He said that in spite of the complexity of the situation, Azerbaijan, as an independent state, is actively cooperating with U.S. and NATO in the frameworks of the Partnership for Peace” program. “All these activities are being carried out under the leadership of President of Azerbaijan, Commander-in –Chief of the Armed Forces Ilham Aliyev,” the Minister said.
Touching upon the implementation of economic projects, General Safar Abiyev stressed the threat the aggressive policy of Armenia poses to their realization.
General Charles Wald thanked the Minister for the sincere meeting, and expressed opinion that the conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia would be settled soon with involvement of the international community. He said that scope of their interest includes ensuring stability in the region and security of Azerbaijan energy resources. The General pointed out the importance of every visit to the country.
Member of the U.S. delegation, Admiral Gregory Johnson, the Commander of U.S. Naval Forces in Europe, Commander-in–Chief of Allied Forces in Southern Europe, shared the opinions expressed, and said that cooperation between U.S. and Azerbaijan Naval Forces could ensure security of the Caspian sea. This cooperation, according to the Admiral Johnson, also includes joint combat against proliferation of the weapons of mass destruction.
Touching upon the coming “Cooperative Best Effort-2004” training to be held in Azerbaijan in September, he noted that high-level conducting of the training would once again demonstrate Azerbaijan’s leadership in the region.
Present at the meeting was Ambassador of the United States of America to Azerbaijan Reno Harnish.
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