E.Mammadyarov: Cooperation with NATO plays an important role in the reform of the security system of Azerbaijan

Cooperation with NATO plays an important role in military security reforms in Azerbaijan and strengthening the interoperability of the armed forces of the country to NATO forces, stated  the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Elmar Mammadyarov at the  North Atlantic Council meeting of Azerbaijan-NATO relations. According to Mammadyarov, the political and military partnership between Azerbaijan and NATO countries developed on the basis of the program "Partnership for Peace", and of the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council. He stressed that Azerbaijan participates in the Program of Individual Partnership, Planning Concept and analysis of process and operational capabilities of NATO.

Referring to the situation in the South Caucasus and the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Mammadyarov said that the occupation of Azerbaijani territories and the prevailing unjust status quo remains a source of tension in the region.

Mammadyarov said that to resolve the conflict Armenian armed units should be withdrawn from the occupied territories of Azerbaijan.

 "On 16 May a meeting of the presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia  was held  in Vienna with the participation of co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group Foreign Ministers. We expect that in June will be held the next meeting with a view to achieving significant progress on the issue of changing the status quo," the minister said.

He also drew attention to the fact that Armenia threatens Azerbaijan with the use of "dirty" bombs, does not follow the obligations in connection with international conventions on non-proliferation of mass destruction weapons.

The minister called on the international community to demand from Armenia respect   for their international obligations, including the principle of territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. Mammadyarov noted that Azerbaijan highly appreciates the strong and consistent position on the issue of the Alliance, which is reflected in the final declaration  of NATO summits. —06d—