Minister of Defense of Azerbaijan, colonel-general Safar Abiyev met professors of the University of National Defense of US Eugene Roomer and Jeffrey Simon, April 16.

Having welcomed visitors, Minister of Defense has noted: “Often meetings with representatives of the American state have acquired traditional character. It means, that we have active cooperation with the United States. I would wish, that our cooperation in military sphere also intensively developed.

Having thanked Minister of Defense for reception, professor J. Roomer and J. Simon have told, that their basic mission consists in supervision and estimation of development of relations of the US with other states in military area, specification of prospects of connections of the NATO with other states, search of ways of disposal of new risks, definition of strategic directions in safety issues, etc.

In this context, they were interested in prospects of relations of Azerbaijan with the US and the NATO.

Colonel-general S. Abiyev and the visitors had comprehensive exchange of views on military-political situation in region of the South Caucasus, sequences of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict, relations of Azerbaijan-USA and Azerbaijan-NATO. He stressed: “Our basic purpose consists in integration into the European structures of safety, active cooperation with the NATO, bilateral cooperation with other states, first of all, with the USA. After the September 11 events, Azerbaijan one of the first has supported the USA in the question of combat against the international terrorism.

The main task the Azerbaijan state faces, is liberation of the lands from the Armenian occupation.”

We are told to negotiate with Armenia and reach agreement. The idea on achievement of the arrangement with the aggressor has no sense. We regard it as support of aggressive Armenia. For settlement of the conflict there are international laws, which serve maintenance of territorial integrity of the states. The international public should demand from Armenia of liberation of the Azerbaijani territories …

The Armenian side does not carry out the requirement of the United Nations 4 Resolutions adopted by Security Council on unconditional release of the Azerbaijan lands under occupation. We wish, that today the USA also had demanded from Armenia of execution of the said resolutions.

Some states apply in the approach to the decision of the question double standards. The similar approach negatively influences on the image of these states”.

Then, colonel-general S. Abiyev and the guests had exchange of opinions on strategic position of our country in the region, on the reforms in the Armed forces of Azerbaijan, including on preparation of our officers on corresponding to standards of the NATO, on reforms carried out in another spheres. The Minister has told: “The Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict obstructs the course of reforms. We are at war with Armenia. However, despite of it, process of transition to standards of the NATO proceeds. At the same time, Azerbaijan carries out within the framework of NATO “Partnership for Peace” program bilateral cooperation with the NATO member-states. Azerbaijan has signed contracts on bilateral cooperation with Romania, Lithuania, Bulgaria and other states.

Colonel-general S. Abiyev has in detail answered the questions interested for visitors.

The US ambassador to Azerbaijan Reno Harnish attended the meeting. He stressed: “The USA attaches great importance to cooperation with Azerbaijan in the field of safety”.