POLITICS
GOVERNMENTS OF THE UNITED STATES AND REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJAN SIGNED AGREEMENT ON NON-PROLIFERATION OF MASS DESTRUCTION WEAPONS
Greeting the guest, defense minister of Azerbaijan updated him of the tense situation in the South Caucasus, stressing that Azerbaijan is the partner of the United States in combat against international terrorism.
“The complicated situation in the Caucasus impedes settlement of the Armenian-Azerbaijani, Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Dissolution of this problem is used by certain forces as a tool of pressure on Azerbaijan. I am confident that the United States will actively join settlement of the Armenian-Azerbaijani, Nagorno Karabakh problem. Afterwards, our cooperation will acquire larger extent. But the problem, as was stated by President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, should be resolved in the frame of territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. Therefore, the agreement between US and Azerbaijan we signed today, is an evidence to the strengthening and expansion of our cooperation”, Mr. Abiyev said.
Ambassador Reno Harnish expressed gratitude to colonel-general Safar Abiyev for reception and for participation of Azerbaijani peacemaking units in combat against international terrorism in Afghanistan and Iraq. Noting that he is hopeful for Azerbaijan’s further participation in this direction, he underlined that the present Agreement would strengthen the bilateral relations.
Then, the parties had a comprehensive exchange of views on cooperation between the United States and Azerbaijan and said that it is evidence to the US-Azerbaijan strategic partnership. “I am proud that on behalf of the US government today I shall sign this Agreement”, the Ambassador emphasized.
Colonel-general Safar Abiyev added: “We adhere development of the US-Azerbaijan military co-op. But on the background of our cooperation, the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno Karabakh conflict should not remain out of focus. Dissolution of this problem will have negative impact on our cooperation. Quick resolution of this conflict would ease our military cooperation and not admit some states to use it as a tool of pressure on Azerbaijan”.
Expressing his satisfaction with the defense minister, Ambassador Reno Harnish said that the United States always supported the resolution to the problem in the frame of territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and dissolution of this problem is a major factor of tension in the Caucasus. I wish the United States increased its activity in this direction, Mr. Ambassador stressed.
Then, colonel-general Safar Abiyev and Ambassador Reno Harnish signed the Agreement “On non-proliferation of mass destruction weapons” between the governments of the United States and the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Responding AzerTAj correspondent, the US ambassador Reno Harnish Said: “On the ground of this Agreement, the US government has allotted 10 million USD for Azerbaijan for purchase of technical equipment, spare parts, technological materials and conducting trainings. Likewise, it is envisioned to strengthen the infrastructure and guarding borders, undertake safety measures repair vessels, radar installations and communications systems.
It has to be noted that currently the US Defense Secretary is implementing a joint threat-study program for non-proliferation of mass destructive weapons”, the Ambassador stressed.