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NATO SUPPORTS TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY OF AZERBAIJAN
Vestnik Kavkaza
May 22 2012
Russia
Elmira Tariverdiyeva, Baku. Exclusively to VK
For the first time, NATO stated its clear position on the
Nagorno-Karabakh position, rather than showing indifference. And it is
great achievement for Azerbaijan. The alliance stated its support for
the territorial integrity, independence and sovereignty of Azerbaijan,
Armenia, Georgia, and Moldavia and urged sides in the conflicts to
avoid steps which might break stability and security.
The NATO declaration adopted as a result of the summit in Chicago says:
"We remain followers of support of territorial integrity, independence
and sovereignty of Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, and Moldavia and
will continue to support efforts aimed at peaceful settlement of
regional conflicts, which is based on principles and norms of the
international law, the UN Charter and Helsinki Final Act."
The foreign minister of Armenia, Edward Nalbandyan, has already
reacted at the declaration, stating that the composite phrasing of
the declaration on the conflicts in the South Caucasus and Moldova
contradicts the approach of the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group.
According to the Armenian Foreign Ministry, considering concerns on
the declaration text, President of Armenia decided not to participate
in the Chicago summit.
The Armenian side was not prepared for such an active position of the
alliance. Official Baku estimated the declaration text very positively
and stated that Azerbaijan was interested in more active participation
of NATO in settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The head of
the Socio-Political Department under the presidential administration
of Azerbaijan, Ali Gasanov, added that if NATO wants, it can make
Armenia fulfill four UN resolutions on freeing occupied Azerbaijani
territories in several hours.
Baku has been waiting for a certain position by the West and NATO for
a long time. For many years the international society has just been
saying on support of territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. Official
Baku believes it closes eyes at Armenia's violation of international
and legal norms.
Representatives of the alliance have many times stated NATO has no
intention to participate in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and the
alliance doesn't even take part in the peacemaking process provided by
the Minsk Group. However, in March 2012 NATO questioned the process
of settlement. "We concern about the Minsk process progress. We
have heard from two presidents (Azerbaijan and Armenia) here, in
NATO office, during recent weeks that they follow the process and
peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh crisis. But in reality
the Minsk process is followed by difficulties, especially in recent
time," the official representative of NATO in the South Caucasus,
James Appaturay, said, according to Community.org.
The South Caucasus is important for NATO and the West from strategic
point of view due to its location and energy transit to Europe. The
South Caucasus is important for the USA and its European allies as
the region of stability. And Azerbaijan might be one of the main
partners of the alliance here. First of all, the country doesn't
strive for membership in NATO. Secondly, unlike Armenia, Azerbaijan
is not involved in any military blocs, like the CSTO.
From: A. Papazian
Vestnik Kavkaza
May 22 2012
Russia
Elmira Tariverdiyeva, Baku. Exclusively to VK
For the first time, NATO stated its clear position on the
Nagorno-Karabakh position, rather than showing indifference. And it is
great achievement for Azerbaijan. The alliance stated its support for
the territorial integrity, independence and sovereignty of Azerbaijan,
Armenia, Georgia, and Moldavia and urged sides in the conflicts to
avoid steps which might break stability and security.
The NATO declaration adopted as a result of the summit in Chicago says:
"We remain followers of support of territorial integrity, independence
and sovereignty of Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, and Moldavia and
will continue to support efforts aimed at peaceful settlement of
regional conflicts, which is based on principles and norms of the
international law, the UN Charter and Helsinki Final Act."
The foreign minister of Armenia, Edward Nalbandyan, has already
reacted at the declaration, stating that the composite phrasing of
the declaration on the conflicts in the South Caucasus and Moldova
contradicts the approach of the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group.
According to the Armenian Foreign Ministry, considering concerns on
the declaration text, President of Armenia decided not to participate
in the Chicago summit.
The Armenian side was not prepared for such an active position of the
alliance. Official Baku estimated the declaration text very positively
and stated that Azerbaijan was interested in more active participation
of NATO in settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The head of
the Socio-Political Department under the presidential administration
of Azerbaijan, Ali Gasanov, added that if NATO wants, it can make
Armenia fulfill four UN resolutions on freeing occupied Azerbaijani
territories in several hours.
Baku has been waiting for a certain position by the West and NATO for
a long time. For many years the international society has just been
saying on support of territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. Official
Baku believes it closes eyes at Armenia's violation of international
and legal norms.
Representatives of the alliance have many times stated NATO has no
intention to participate in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and the
alliance doesn't even take part in the peacemaking process provided by
the Minsk Group. However, in March 2012 NATO questioned the process
of settlement. "We concern about the Minsk process progress. We
have heard from two presidents (Azerbaijan and Armenia) here, in
NATO office, during recent weeks that they follow the process and
peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh crisis. But in reality
the Minsk process is followed by difficulties, especially in recent
time," the official representative of NATO in the South Caucasus,
James Appaturay, said, according to Community.org.
The South Caucasus is important for NATO and the West from strategic
point of view due to its location and energy transit to Europe. The
South Caucasus is important for the USA and its European allies as
the region of stability. And Azerbaijan might be one of the main
partners of the alliance here. First of all, the country doesn't
strive for membership in NATO. Secondly, unlike Armenia, Azerbaijan
is not involved in any military blocs, like the CSTO.
From: A. Papazian