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Robert Simmons: NATO recognises that the persistence of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is a major obstacle to peace and stability in the South Caucasus region - INTERVIEW

10 April 2009 08:01 (UTC +04:00)

-The NATO Secretary General said that NATO cannot be involved in the resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflictâ€¦

-The Alliance recognises that the persistence of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is a major obstacle to peace and stability in the South Caucasus region. We take this conflict very seriously and will continue to support efforts towards a peaceful, negotiated settlement. However, NATO is not in the leading role when it comes to mediation efforts regarding Nagorno-Karabakh. This role currently resides with the OSCE Minsk Group, whose work we fully support. Based on our support for the existing negotiation format, we do not see a need for, or a benefit in, a separate NATO role in this process.

- Do Azerbaijani Armed Forces meet the NATO standards? How is the process to meet NATO standards going on? Are there any problems toward that issue?

- Improving the ability of Azerbajiani forces to work alongside those of NATO has been a central element of our cooperation for almost 15 years now. Azerbaijan has achieved much progress in this area and the successful participation of Azerbaijani forces in the NATO-led ISAF mission in Afghanistan testifies to this. Beyond that, Azerbaijanâ€™s armed forces have set themselves ambitious goals to meet the same standards that NATO nations use, including in the area of democratic control of the security sector. This is a long process and it is not surprising that there still remains much work to do. The Alliance will continue to work together with Azerbaijan to assist in these defence reform efforts.

- How do you view further NATO policy regarding security issues in South Caucasus region, especially after the NATO Summit in Kehl-Strasbourg in April of this year?

- NATOâ€™s policy in the South Caucasus region has not changed. We continue to regard peace and stability in this region as an essential element of Euro-Atlantic security. We will continue to engage with the countries of the region, both politically and in practical terms, in accordance with their own expressed interests. The Heads of State and Government of NATO were very clear at the Strasbourg/Kehl Summit that partnership and cooperation, support to reforms, support to peaceful conflict resolution, and continued commitment to decisions made at the NATO Bucharest Summit of April 2008 on Georgiaâ€™s eventual membership in the Alliance will remain the cornerstones of our policy toward the region. As for Azerbaijan, I am confident that our partnership will continue to grow, both in quantity and in quality. I certainly look forward to visiting Azerbaijan again soon to review with Azerbaijani leaders the progress in our relationship.