Brussels, 16 November 2021 (TDI): The Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan, Jayhun Bayramov, met with NATO Deputy Secretary-General Mircea Geoană.
The meeting took place at NATO’s residence and was on 15 November.
BAYRAMOV AND GEOANA MEETING
Both discussed issues regarding the current issues of NATO-European cooperation, and future development prospects. They also discussed regional issues. Bayramov expressed his satisfaction with the results of the Azerbaijan-NATO cooperation.
Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Bayramov, also addressed their contributions to NATO in the context of the support to preserve peace and security.
He also informed Geoană regarding the reconstruction work carried out by the government in liberated areas from the 44-Day War.
Azerbaijan representatives have emphasized that they are ready to normalize relations with Armenia. This is an effort to eliminate the occupation of Azerbaijan’s territory. Geoană expressed NATO’s appreciation towards Azerbaijan for their contributions to defense reforms and towards NATO’s different missions.
Geoană also thanked Azerbaijan for their cooperation with NATO and their participation in Afghanistan’s operation. Both expressed their willingness to continue the practical cooperation, and also the political dialogue. They would continue this following the principles and also the objectives of the Peace Cooperation Program.
BACKGROUND IN NATO
Azerbaijan joined the North Atlantic Cooperation Council in 1992, this was later succeeded in 1997, by the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council. According to NATO, this last one brings together the Allies and partner countries in the Euro-Atlantic regions. They also joined the Partnership for Peace Program in 1994.
After the country joined the PfP, bilateral cooperation between both began. Azerbaijan has been an active contributor thanks to the PfP, to the peace support operations led by NATO.
The organization encouraged the involved sides in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict to work towards a peaceful resolution, even though NATO was not part of the negotiations. The framework of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Minsk Group is leading the peace negotiations.
Finally, Azerbaijan detailed its cooperative activities, reform plans, and political dialogue processes in its Individual Partnership Action Plan. The Organization and Azerbaijan jointly agreed on the IPAP.
