Nato Officer: Azerbaijan Could Be An Important Link In The Troop Wit

NATO OFFICER: AZERBAIJAN COULD BE AN IMPORTANT LINK IN THE TROOP WITHDRAWAL FROM AFGHANISTAN TO EUROPE

ARMINFO
Wednesday, February 20, 11:20

NATO is discussing with Azerbaijan on the use of Azeri territory
during troop withdrawal from Afghanistan, Officer-Coordinator for
the South Caucasus William Lahu said.

He made this statement at the winter session of the NATO International
School in Azerbaijan dedicated to Challenges to Security in the
Caspian Region.

William Lahu said Azerbaijan and NATO were discussing the troop pullout
from Afghanistan, including the Azeri contingent after 2014, with the
plan of actions after 2014, the year that should end the ISAF mission.

The NATO officer-coordinator pointed out that Azerbaijan’s location
was vital for the pullout process since it was a potential country for
re-deployment of the withdrawn NATO troops. In view of this, Azerbaijan
could be an important link in the troop withdrawal from Afghanistan
to Europe, he said. It is noteworthy that some Russian experts suppose
reasonably that Azerbaijan that is being actively armed by Israel for
billions of dollars will not refuse USA in the given issue. Obviously,
it concerns preparation of a foothold for attacking Iran. Besides,
deploying troops in Azerbaijan, Pentagon gets a direct access to the
Caspian Region, and consequently, the Russian Northern Caucasus.