Interfax News Agency, Russia
Russia & CIS Military Newswire
March 6, 2008 Thursday
Azeri defense minister asks for international assistance in Karabakh
problem
BAKU March 6
International organizations must step up their efforts to resolve the
conflict in the Nagorno Karabakh, Azeri Defense Minister Safar Abiyev
said at a meeting with Jose Lello, the President of the Parliamentary
Assembly of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), in Baku.
"International organizations, including the NATO PA, must use their
potential to increase their efforts in resolving the Karabakh
conflict.
Otherwise the situation could get even worse, and Azerbaijan might
recur to tougher measures in order to free its lands," Abiyev was
quoted as saying by the Defense Ministry’s press service.
The peace talks have so far been unsuccessful, with Armenia still
reluctant to comply with four resolutions of the United Nations
Security Council, he said.
"The situation on the frontline is increasingly escalating.
Armenia’s consistent breach of the cease-fire agreement may lead to
losses on both sides," the Azeri minister said.
Azerbaijan entered the second stage of cooperation with NATO under
its Individual Partnership Action Plan, Abiyev said. All troops in
Azerbaijan now comply with the NATO standards and its system of
military training has been modernized, he said.
Lello for his part praised the social and economic growth in
Azerbaijan. He mentioned the reforms in Azerbaijan’s Armed Forces and
said he was satisfied with the high level of cooperation between the
country and the alliance.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
