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NATO Chief "Interested In" Caspian, Post-Soviet Conflicts
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rwro-@yahoo.com
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Nov 04, 2009 09:41 PST
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http://www.today.az/news/politics/57180.html
Today.AZ
November 4, 2009
NATO Secretary General: "Azerbaijan is a very close and active partner of t=
he Alliance"=20
U. Amirbayov
=20
Day.Az exclusive interview with NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmusse=
n
-NATO is indeed very concerned with the conflicts in the South Caucasus and=
the Republic of Moldova.=20
-[D]o you consider possible participation of NATO forces in a possible peac=
ekeeping operation in Karabakh? And how would you comment on the experts' =
opinion that the presence of NATO peacekeepers in Kosovo served as a guaran=
tee of recognition of the region=E2=80=99s independence in view of obvious =
opposition from Serbia and Russia?=20
-It is clear that a reliable and stable energy supply is of critical import=
ance to the security of the Alliance. Diversification of routes, suppliers =
and energy sources, and the interconnectivity of energy networks are all fa=
ctors that can enhance energy security. I see the Nabucco pipeline project =
in this context....
-I welcome the fact that the United States in the framework of NATO is disc=
ussing how we can develop missile defenses, which, can include all Allies a=
nd protect all Allies.=20
Q1: Azerbaijan has signed a two-year Individual Partnership Action Plan wit=
h NATO in 2008. What do you see as a logical continuation of this plan in 2=
010: the extension of the existing format, or an invitation to begin the pr=
ocess of so-called Intensified Dialogue with the Alliance?=20
A: Azerbaijan is a very close and active partner of the Alliance and I am p=
leased with the strong relationship that we have. The Individual Partnershi=
p Action Plan, which you referred to, was first agreed upon in 2005 and upd=
ated in 2008. It contains a wide-ranging programme of domestic reforms, as =
well as concrete measures for practical cooperation and political dialogue =
in support of these reforms.=20
It also aims at strengthening the overall ties between Azerbaijan and NATO.=
...
Q2: The Heads of State and Government in the final declaration of this year=
=E2=80=99s April Summit meeting in Strasbourg-Kehl expressed their support =
for the territorial integrity, independence and sovereignty of Armenia, Aze=
rbaijan, Georgia and Moldova, as well as support for the peaceful settlemen=
t of regional conflicts in the former Soviet Union countries, based on the =
abovementioned principles.=20
How do you see the prospects for a settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh confl=
ict? What is the role of NATO in this process with the OSCE Minsk Group lea=
ding the negotiations?=20
A: NATO is indeed very concerned with the conflicts in the South Caucasus a=
nd the Republic of Moldova. It is vital that these conflicts be resolved pe=
acefully and within a reasonable timeframe....
Q3: It is probably a bit early to ask this question, but, do you consider p=
ossible participation of NATO forces in a possible peacekeeping operation i=
n Karabakh?=C2=A0 And how would you comment on the experts' opinion that th=
e presence of NATO peacekeepers in Kosovo served as a guarantee of recognit=
ion of the region=E2=80=99s independence in view of obvious opposition from=
Serbia and Russia?=20
A:...As for Kosovo, I would caution against generalizations and attempts to=
apply the unique circumstances of Kosovo to other conflicts or regions of =
the world....
Q6: Energy security issues have been always in the centre of attention of t=
he Alliance. What are the main risks and challenges that the Alliance is fa=
cing in ensuring energy security? What steps have been taken by the Allianc=
e, conserning cooperation with the countries of the region, to ensure the s=
ecurity of energy routes and pipelines? What is NATO's position on the Nabu=
cco project?=20
A: It is clear that a reliable and stable energy supply is of critical impo=
rtance to the security of the Alliance. Diversification of routes, supplier=
s and energy sources, and the interconnectivity of energy networks are all =
factors that can enhance energy security. I see the Nabucco pipeline projec=
t in this context, and I believe it is potentially a very positive project.=
=20
....
Q7: United States decided to suspend construction of missile defense sites =
in the Czech Republic and Poland. What do you think about this, especially =
in light of the declaration of the summit (Para 54)? What would be the NATO=
's position on the joint use of Gabala radar station, located on the territ=
ory of Azerbaijan?=20
A: NATO leaders have repeatedly emphasized, that missile proliferation pose=
s an increasing threat=C2=A0and that missile defense is part of a broader r=
esponse to that threat. So I welcome the fact that the United States in the=
framework of NATO is discussing how we can develop missile defenses, which=
, can include all Allies and protect all Allies....
Q8: Your predecessor had a direct view and understanding of the state of af=
fairs in the region because he extensively travelled to the region in his c=
apacity of the OSCE chairman-in-office, in 2003. Do you plan to visit the r=
egion in the near future?=20
A: Of course I will travel to the=C2=A0region, but firm dates have not been=
established yet. You may imagine that this early on in my term as Secretar=
y General there are many demands on my time and my travel schedule is inten=
se. But I do hope to be able to visit the region as soon as is feasible.
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D
Stop NATO
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/stopnato
Blog site:
http://rickrozoff.wordpress.com/
=20
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