Azerbaijan says it attaches importance to further developing cooperation with NATO

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) – Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov on Monday said his country attaches importance to further developing cooperation with NATO.

A statement by the Foreign Ministry said Bayramov’s remarks came during a meeting with visiting NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg in the capital Baku, indicating that his comments especially concerned the joint activities carried out under the alliance’s Partnership for Peace program.

“It was noted that our cooperation aimed at contributing to international peace and security is also reflected in reforms, improvement and professional development activities in the relevant field,” the statement said.

Bayramov and Stoltenberg discussed the preparation process for Azerbaijan’s hosting of the 29th session of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) later this year, it added.

The foreign minister explained the measures taken by Baku so that the “legacy of COP29 can contribute to the fight against the threat of climate change," the statement also noted.

Bayramov also spoke in detail about the restoration and construction works carried out in the Karabakh region, as well as other issues including the mine threat in the region and the normalization process between Azerbaijan and Armenia, it said.

“The importance of the support of the international community in the fight against the mine problem, which threatens the safety of our citizens, as well as the ongoing reconstruction works, was emphasized,” the statement said, adding that the existence of “historical conditions” related to the advancement of the peace talks was underlined.

Meanwhile, Stoltenberg stressed the importance of Azerbaijan's contribution to the energy security of the NATO region, and Baku’s “commendable exemplary performance” in many peacekeeping missions under the cooperation with NATO.

“In particular, confidence was expressed that our country's COP29 presidency this year will contribute to synergy between energy security and the fight against climate change,” the Foreign Ministry statement added.

The alliance chief also held talks with Azerbaijani Defense Minister Zakir Hasanov, during which he said the close cooperation of the Azerbaijan military with the Turkish Armed Forces will make a significant contribution to Azerbaijan-NATO relations, according to a Defense Ministry statement.

Stoltenberg arrived in Baku on Sunday amid a three-day regional visit to the South Caucasus, where he led talks with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. He will also visit Georgia and Armenia.