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Turan news agency, Azerbaijan
Sept 7 2012
NATO chief urges closer security ties with Azerbaijan
7 September: NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen commended
Azerbaijan for its progress in defence reforms and called for closer
security cooperation during his first visit to the country on Friday
[7 September]. The secretary-general thanked Azerbaijan for its
participation in the NATO-led mission in Afghanistan and relayed the
alliance's appreciation for the country's additional support given to
NATO operations, through over flight and transit lines. Azerbaijan is
also helping to fund the training of Afghan security forces. Mr Fogh
Rasmussen also expressed his appreciation to Azerbaijan's intention
to continue to support Afghanistan after the ISAF mission ends in
2014.
"Our relations are developing steadily and positively," the
secretary-general said after talks with President Ilham Aliyev. "We
appreciate the steadfast support provided by your troops in
Afghanistan." Mr Fogh Rasmussen said Azerbaijan is a "valuable
partner for NATO", adding that both sides have "an opportunity to
build a solid, long-term partnership".
He said that the alliance was determined to build closer ties "to
deepen the practical experience that our military forces have gained
by working together in Afghanistan over the years". He added the two
sides had to work together in dealing with the security challenges of
the 21st century. The secretary-general said NATO could, for instance,
serve as a platform to strengthen cooperation on energy security. The
alliance is already consulting with Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia on
training and science cooperation. Azerbaijan was urged to keep up the
pace of defence and security sector reform as well. "We encourage you
to keep up the momentum in this key area," said the secretary-general.
NATO is assisting Azerbaijan with this reform, helping to remove huge
quantities of landmines. "This is one of the biggest such projects in
the world and it is of real benefit to people," said Mr Fogh
Rasmussen. At the same time, the alliance recommended Azerbaijan to
continue reforms in defence and security. The secretary-general also
touched on issues of regional security and, in particular, the
reconciliation between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The only way to go
forward is dialogue, compromise and cooperation, he said.
[Translated from Russian]
Sept 7 2012
NATO chief urges closer security ties with Azerbaijan
7 September: NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen commended
Azerbaijan for its progress in defence reforms and called for closer
security cooperation during his first visit to the country on Friday
[7 September]. The secretary-general thanked Azerbaijan for its
participation in the NATO-led mission in Afghanistan and relayed the
alliance's appreciation for the country's additional support given to
NATO operations, through over flight and transit lines. Azerbaijan is
also helping to fund the training of Afghan security forces. Mr Fogh
Rasmussen also expressed his appreciation to Azerbaijan's intention
to continue to support Afghanistan after the ISAF mission ends in
2014.
"Our relations are developing steadily and positively," the
secretary-general said after talks with President Ilham Aliyev. "We
appreciate the steadfast support provided by your troops in
Afghanistan." Mr Fogh Rasmussen said Azerbaijan is a "valuable
partner for NATO", adding that both sides have "an opportunity to
build a solid, long-term partnership".
He said that the alliance was determined to build closer ties "to
deepen the practical experience that our military forces have gained
by working together in Afghanistan over the years". He added the two
sides had to work together in dealing with the security challenges of
the 21st century. The secretary-general said NATO could, for instance,
serve as a platform to strengthen cooperation on energy security. The
alliance is already consulting with Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia on
training and science cooperation. Azerbaijan was urged to keep up the
pace of defence and security sector reform as well. "We encourage you
to keep up the momentum in this key area," said the secretary-general.
NATO is assisting Azerbaijan with this reform, helping to remove huge
quantities of landmines. "This is one of the biggest such projects in
the world and it is of real benefit to people," said Mr Fogh
Rasmussen. At the same time, the alliance recommended Azerbaijan to
continue reforms in defence and security. The secretary-general also
touched on issues of regional security and, in particular, the
reconciliation between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The only way to go
forward is dialogue, compromise and cooperation, he said.
[Translated from Russian]