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Elmar Mammadyarov: The volume of the goods delivered to Afghanistan through Azerbaijan for ISAF operations is increasing year after year

08 December 2011 16:22 (UTC +04:00)

Baku â€“ APA. Azerbaijanâ€™s Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov attended the meeting of the Foreign Ministers of ISAF contributing partner nations in Brussels, press service of the Foreign Ministry told APA. Foreign Minister said the current situation in Afghanistan has a serious influence on the regional and global security.
â€œTaking into account the principle of security integrity and the fraternal relations with Afghanistan, Azerbaijan has been contributing to establishing security, stability and welfare in Afghanistan from the beginning.

Our geographical position and existing infrastructure have made Azerbaijan an important transit country of the region. The goods and manpower necessary for ISAF operations are delivered to Afghanistan through Azerbaijan. The volume of the transit is increasing year after year,â€ he said.

Minister said the experience of the past ten years proved that military assistance is not sufficient to achieve lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan.
â€œTherefore, Azerbaijan is contributing to the non-military cooperation with Afghanistan. Practical projects are being implemented to train civilians and servicemen of Afghanistan. ANAMA held mine-clearance trainings for Afghan specialists both in Afghanistan and Azerbaijan.

Every year Azerbaijan Diplomatic Academy holds trainings for Afghan diplomats and civil servants on the themes â€œPeopleâ€™s diplomacyâ€, â€œRule of lawâ€, â€œGood governanceâ€. The Ministry of National Security held course in the field of combating terrorism, State Border Service seminar with participation of the border services of Afghanistan and Central Asia. Other agencies of Azerbaijan are also ready to hold trainings for Afghan officials, including police, servicemen.â€

Elmar Mammadyarov said Azerbaijan shares the concerns of the international community and Afghan government over drug flow in the region.
â€œAlong with the coordination of the Afghan government and interested countries, Azerbaijan is ready to participate in the projects on the prevention of drug flow.

We support the transition period in Afghanistan. The efforts and will of the leadership of Afghanistan will lead to success.

We think that the national reconciliation is the major element to achieve general stability and in order to achieve this, the government of Afghanistan must continue efforts, and the international community should support them.

We call on ISAF to make efforts to reduce loss of civilians. It is of both humanitarian and political importance. Increase of efforts towards the behavior in accordance with local cultural and religious customs and traditions will increase the acceptance of ISAF both in Afghanistan and outside.

Foreign Minister said Azerbaijan as a country interested in the economic development of Afghanistan can work on the investment projects that will be proposed by the government of Afghanistan.
â€œWe have got a number of private companies investing in Afghanistan and functioning in this country. The security challenges in Afghanistan must be regarded as an important question both on the regional and international level. Following the decades of wars and hardships the Afghan people have obtained a real chance to achieve peace and welfare. In order to respond to the threats and challenges in Afghanistan, the international community must demonstrate solidarity and continue supporting the efforts of the Afghan government.â€