NATO Special Representative: Intensified dialogue is untimely for Azerbaijan

NATO Special Representative to the South Caucasus and Central Asia, Robert Simmons, believes it is early to apply the Intensified Dialogue in the NATO-Azerbaijan relations.

"Azerbaijan seeks to build strong ties with NATO, but not NATO membership, at least not at the present time. It seems therefore logical to me that the Intensified Dialogue is not the right vehicle for Azerbaijan at least at present," Simmons told Trend in the run up to his Baku visit scheduled for mid-April.

NATO's cooperation with the South Caucasus states - Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia - are mainly carried out within the programs of "Partnership for Peace", "Individual Partnership Action Plan" (IPAP), as well as "Process of planning and analysis" program. These documents define the objectives and intentions of the partner countries to hold consultations with NATO on reforms in the spheres of defense, security and military policy.

Azerbaijan has been cooperating with NATO within the IPAP framework since 2005. The program is set for two years, after which, according to the experience of other partner countries, the partnership moves to a new level of integration - the Intensive Dialogue.

In 2009, the IPAP-2program has expired, but the sides have already agreed to repeat this program for another two years - in the IPAP-3 format.

Simmons believes the NATO-Azerbaijan relations have become increasingly well-established over the past few years. The IPAP has been the main vehicle in this regard. The intensified dialogue has been designed for countries that seek NATO membership.

"The forthcoming visit should also be a first opportunity to exchange views on the priority objectives that could usefully form part of a new and updated IPAP to be developed in the months ahead," he said.

Simmons said that during his stay in Baku, he is looking forward to meet with Azerbaijan's State Commission on cooperation with NATO, which has been functioning since 1997.

"The improvement of interagency cooperation is one of the key aims of the IPAP, and the State Commission has, of course, a central role to play in this regard," Simmons said.

"I also believe that the IPAP is moving NATO and Azerbaijan towards enhanced practical cooperation and a broadened political dialogue." he said.


/Trend/