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Robert Simmons: NATO- South Caucasus relations do not compete with Russia

07 March 2008 13:10 (UTC +04:00)

Mr. Simmons noted that NATO passed a decision on expansion the cooperation with South Caucasus and Central Asia in 2003. Mr. Simmons stated that there was much progress in this direction and estimated appointment of associative officers on these regions.
â€œNATO assists South Caucasus and Central Asia to plan defense system, establish budget of personnel, and prepare strategies on the participation in NATO operations. NATO pays attention to defense security, defense planning and information exchange in the cooperation with these countries. Political dialogue is important for us. We proposed to NATO supporter countries to participate in the political dialogue with NATO member countries,â€ he said. â€œWe do not search sources for reconstruction of energy models. We want energy sources to be ensured. It is important for South Caucasus and Central Asia, which have such sources,â€ he said. Robert Simmons added that NATO-South Caucasus relations did not compete with Russia.
â€œEverybody has its own interests and superiorities. We have common interests in the cooperation with these countries, such as security of the region,â€ he said.