Trend News Agency
March 19, 2015
Azerbaijan-NATO co-op continues to develop
By Anakhanum Khidayatova
Baku, Azerbaijan: Over the recent years, Azerbaijan and NATO have established a strong cooperation, which continues to develop, according to Steffen Elgersma, a representative of NATO’s Political Affairs and Security Policy Division.
He made the remarks on March 19 in Baku addressing a conference dedicated to Azerbaijan’s cooperation with NATO following the Wales Summit of 2014.
Elgersma also underscored the importance of the participation of Azerbaijani soldiers in the operations of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan, as well as the reforms that are being carried out in Azerbaijan in the defense sector.
He added that bringing a number of structures in Azerbaijan in conformity with the NATO standards is another element of the cooperation.
Elgersma also said that in general, the essence of the bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and NATO has not changed, adding that the relations with Azerbaijan are unique, as they involve several structures.
He noted that the cooperation in cyber security and safety of energy projects are the new aspects of the cooperation between Azerbaijan and NATO.
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Trend News Agency
March 19, 2015
Azerbaijani-NATO relations of strategic value – Romanian ambassador
By Anakhanum Khidayatova
Baku, Azerbaijan: The relations between Azerbaijan and NATO are developing strongly and they have a strategic value, Romanian Ambassador to Azerbaijan Daniel Cristian Ciobanu said.
The ambassador made the remarks during the conference “In the aftermath of NATO Wales Summit – cooperation between North Atlantic Alliance and Partner Countries” in Baku.
Ciobanu added that Azerbaijan is the highly valued partner of NATO.
The political dialogue between the sides covers a wide range of issues, said Romanian ambassador. “NATO and Azerbaijan actively cooperate on democratic, institutional and defense reforms and have developed practical cooperation in many other areas.”
The diplomat added that NATO is assisting Azerbaijan with the training and modernization of its armed forces.
Moreover, the ambassador mentioned the joint participation of Azerbaijan and NATO in the operations in Afghanistan, as well as the country’s active participation in the programs of the North Atlantic Alliance.
Ciobanu said the close cooperation of Azerbaijan with NATO is beneficial to the stability in the Black Sea and Caspian Sea regions.
“As a NATO and EU member, Romania is determined to further promote and actively support Azerbaijan’s efforts to enhance its relations with the European and Euro-Atlantic institutions,” he said.
There is a big potential for the development of NATO-Azerbaijan cooperation, he added.
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