POLITICS
INTERVIEW
NATO Deputy Secretary General: We plan to continue cooperating with Azerbaijan in areas, which are mutually beneficial – EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

AZERTAC presents an exclusive interview with Radmila Shekerinska, NATO Deputy Secretary General, who shared her insights concluding her visit to Azerbaijan this week.

- Could you fill us in, on the purpose of your visit and the outcome?

- As you know, NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and Azerbaijan have a history of almost three decades of partnership. And this is a very solid foundation because our partnership is based on a commitment from both sides to this, in a way, interaction and cooperation.

But we want to take this partnership one step further. We have currently reached a certain end of the process of agreeing a so-called Individually Tailored Partnership Programme between NATO and Azerbaijan. And this will give us the possibility to continue with political dialogue, but also with the practical cooperation. Until now, Azerbaijan has already profited from this cooperation on defence education, on participation in various trainings, but also in military exercises, supporting defence reforms and modernisation. Also, we have cooperated on issues such as Building Integrity, demining, and cyber security.

We plan to continue in areas, which are mutually beneficial. Because this partnership is about Azerbaijan and NATO cooperating on issues where they believe that this cooperation is needed.

- Also, I would like to hear your views on the Azerbaijan-Armenia peace agenda, especially following the Washington summit held on August 8th.

- We have really appreciated and respected the big breakthrough that took place last year in Washington, with practically a U-turn and a change in the bilateral relations between the two countries. We see this peace treaty as a solid foundation for peace and stability in this region. And we have really congratulated both countries and the leadership of both countries for making this investment in the stability of the region and in the future cooperation of these two countries. We see the normalisation of relations as very important. We see some of the steps that were already made in terms of trade, allowing transit of goods to Armenia as very helpful. And we do hope that the next steps will soon take place, meaning the signing of the treaty, but also the ratification of the treaty. We have really congratulated both Baku and Yerevan for making this breakthrough possible, because we know that the stability of this region will be very important for our security as well.

- We will also welcome your thoughts on Azerbaijan's contributions to the Alliance as well as Europe's energy security overall.

- Well, as I mentioned, the partnership between NATO and Azerbaijan is a two-way street.

So, we have supported Azerbaijan in many ways through the different programmes that I have mentioned. But also, Azerbaijan showed its commitment; and one of the very clear signals, one of the very clear arguments in that respect was the fact that Azerbaijan joined our missions in Afghanistan, which have been extremely important for the Alliance. You have joined our efforts as a partner, and you have stayed there throughout a very long and very difficult period. Actually, Azerbaijan was the last country that left Kabul, and this really speaks very highly of your commitment and of your contribution.

Azerbaijan was also very useful, very instrumental, very important in helping NATO allies deal with some of their old energy dependencies. They were able to cut energy supplies from Russia and replace them with energy coming, supplied by Azerbaijan. And this has given us safety in our energy supply. This is very important. This is respected and appreciated very much. This is an opportunity for Azerbaijan to continue stressing that they are a reliable source of energy, and also that they are our reliable partner. And this is why we are discussing also issues such as supporting demining efforts, but also naval port safety and the safety of critical infrastructure.

All these things are good ground for future cooperation, and this is why I think that the partnership will be beneficial for both Azerbaijan and NATO.