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Special envoy for Caucasus: NATO advocates a solution to NK conflict

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  • Special envoy for Caucasus: NATO advocates a solution to NK conflict

    Agency WPS
    DEFENSE and SECURITY (Russia)
    October 20, 2004, Wednesday

    SPECIAL ENVOY FOR THE CAUCASUS: NATO ADVOCATES A SOLUTION TO THE
    ARMENIAN-AZERBAIJANI CONFLICT ON THE BASIS OF TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY


    NATO General Secretary Jaap de Hoop Scheffer will visit Azerbaijan in
    the course of his tour of the region in early November, his Envoy for
    the Caucasus and Central Asia Robert Simmons said in his exclusive
    interview.

    Does NATO plan participation in conflict settlement in Abkhazia,
    Ossetia, and Karabakh?

    "The Alliance is not involved directly in the search for solutions to
    these extended conflicts," Simmons replied. At the same time, NATO
    supports efforts of international organizations and mediators seeking
    ways and means to settle the conflicts that impede stable development
    of the region.

    What is the condition of the bilateral relations between Azerbaijan
    and NATO?

    Azerbaijan "has traditionally been" one of the most active
    participants of NATO programs. The Alliance appreciates Azerbaijan's
    "positive and dynamic" contribution to these programs and its
    participation in NATO operations in Kosovo and Afghanistan, Simmons
    said.

    The government of Azerbaijan and NATO are working on the Individual
    Partnership Program. It will promote the bilateral political dialogue
    and dramatic reforms in the Azerbaijani defense sphere. All of that
    will enable the Alliance to offer Azerbaijan even more my way of
    assistance.

    A part of Azerbaijani society blames NATO for support of the
    aggressive policy of Armenia that occupied Azerbaijani territories...

    According to Simmons, NATO advocates a solution to the problems
    between its partners on the basis of "the principles of independence,
    sovereignty, and territorial integrity of all countries."

    "NATO hopes that a peaceful solution to the conflict between Armenia
    and Azerbaijan will be found soon. We welcome negotiations between
    Azerbaijan and Armenia on the highest level," Simmons said. "The
    negotiations are taking place within the framework of the OSCE Minsk
    Group. They are of paramount importance for the whole region."

    Source: TURAN news agency (Baku), October 15, 2004

    Translated by A. Ignatkin
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