MINISTER OF DEFENCE MEETS NATO SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE
Minister Abiyev said Azerbaijan is closely cooperating with NATO successfully fulfilling its obligations under the Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP).
He noted Azerbaijan’s aim is to integrate into European security structures, but the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict prevents Azerbaijan-NATO relations from developing.
Robert Simons said Azerbaijan-NATO relations have big prospects and IPAP would give an impetus to the improvement of Azerbaijan’s defence.
Speaking of the Nagorno-Karabakh problem, Mr. Simons said NATO espouses peaceful settlement of the conflict.
Safar Abiyev also noted Armenia has been violating all international norms.
“The international community should press Armenia on this dispute. Azerbaijan will itself restore its territorial integrity if the problem is not peacefully solved”, Mr. Abiyev added.
They also discussed the military-plitical situation in the South Caucasus as well as prospects of Azerbaijan-NATO relations and participation of Azerbaijan in peacemaking operations.