Head of Azerbaijan's mission to NATO: "Russia must not fear our cooperation with NATO"

- Azerbaijan and NATO have recently initiated implementation of the second stage of the plan of actions in the framework of individual partnership (IPAP). What is the main difference between the first and the second stage of cooperation?

- In fact, we had a broad program in the framework of the first stage. I would like to note that the process of reforms is long-term and in line with our IPAP covers various spheres. In this process Azerbaijani side is represented by the Ministry of Defense, state frontier service, internal troops, Ministry of Emergency Situations and other institutions.

The new program or, in other words, the second stage of our IPAP is a logical continuation of the first stage, that is continuation of reforms, improvement of our standards and bringing their in conformity to the leading world standards.

- Does Azerbaijan set the goal to join NATO as the last stage of cooperation with this organization?

- First of all, I would like to note that Azerbaijan is currently taking an active part in various NATO arrangements and implementing its IPAP. We also have a joint special program for development of cooperation in military sphere, for example, such projects and planning process and analysis.

We are currently giving priority to development of practical cooperation. We have two practical projects with NATO- Saloghlu project for termination of unexploded ammunitions and Melange project for processes rocket fuel. Moreover, we are actively participating in the peacekeeping actions. We have the due peacekeeping department in the framework of the Defense Ministry and I would like to note that we have almost attained operative compatibility with NATO troops. This was also proven by experience of Kosovo, where our militaries served for many years, this is also evidenced by the NATO anti-terror operation in Afghanistan. By the way, we have recently raised our contribution to maintenance of peace to Afghanistan. Thus, the answer to your question will be: we give priority to practical cooperation today.

- Following the topic of peacekeeping operations, I would like to ask whether there are plans to further expand our contingent in the framework of NATO peacekeeping mission or the deployment of our peacekeepers in other conflict areas of the world?

- This issue is not ruled out. The issue of deployment of our peacekeepers abroad in line with our Constitution is in the competence of the country leadership, which appeals for permission to the parliament.

I do not rule it our, as we have a potential in this issue. Each peacekeeping operation is also considered in the political sense. If it is politically expedient, the due resolution will be adopted.

- Official Moscow is tickly on close interaction of former USSR republics with NATO. Certainly, the diplomatic policy of Azerbaijan towards the alliance, unlike Georgia and Ukraine, striving to join the bloc, is not too irritating for our northern neighbor, but at the same time, it does not makes it too much happy. What can you say about it?

- I can say that Russia and NATO maintain good large scale cooperation in a number of spheres. There is the Russia-NATO council, which gathers on the level of ambassadors  almost each weak and discusses all issues of European security, which are on the agenda.

As for our cooperation with NATO, we really know that Russia is concerned with it, this country negatively perceives the situation, established around Georgia and Ukraine's reject to get the Membership action plan. But we consider that our cooperation with Russia is developing positively. In fact, we have never directed our cooperation with Russia against any third country and we have never directed our cooperation with NATO against Russia or any other country. Cooperation should be positive for both parties, it should base on mutual understanding and trust.

Thus, I do not see how our cooperation with NATO may create any problems to us with the third countries.

- Can accession of Georgia and Ukraine, our GUAM partners, to NATO further intensify cooperation of Azerbaijan with the alliance?

- Azerbaijan is a member of a number of international organizations, including OSCE, OIC and many others, where different formats of each organizations have their purposes and tasks. I think the issue of possible accession of Georgia and Ukraine to NATO is a issue which should be settled by these countries. We have very good relations with Georgia and Ukraine  and in this plan their choice is an internal affair of these countries, as sovereign states.

There are various projects in the GUAM sidelines and when the issue of Ukraine and Georgia membership will be more urgent on the agenda, a dialogue will be held on the bilateral basis  both in the GUAM framework and on the bilateral basis, definite prospects of cooperation and specification set by the membership in the NATO for GUAM membership of these countries will be considered.

/Day.Az/