APPENDIX 42
Supplementary Memorandum submitted by
HE Mr Mahmud Mamed-Kuliyev, Ambassador of the Azerbaijan Republic
AZERBAIJAN'S POSITION ON RELATIONS WITH NATO
Being a single geographical region Southern
Caucasus is not single from political point of view. Southern
Caucasus at present is a very good example of attempts to create
lines of division in the best traditions of "cold" war.
Deployment of the Russian military bases and continuing supply
of the Russian weaponry to Armenia promotes policy of the Russian
military dominance, hinders independent development of states
in the region, and, as a result, creates confrontation of blocks
and unions. The Russian-Armenian strategic union has obvious anti-NATO,
anti-Turkey and anti-Azerbaijan character.
The current situation in the region with the
Russian dominance and unsolved conflicts brings Southern Caucasus
to isolation and includes it into the Russian sphere of military-political
influence which puts Azerbaijan in unacceptable conditions.
Azerbaijan's aim is integrated partnership with
NATO on the level which is close to the membership. This kind
of partnership will, generally, meet geopolitical interests of
both the West and Azerbaijan, considering, at the same time, a
development of strategic projects, related to East-West corridor.
Existence of political consent with regard to
this level of relationship, should bring practical co-operation
on the same level. Azerbaijan fulfills its individual partnership
programme but it is not enough for developed co-operation with
NATO.
Obviously, technical and practical support by
NATO member-states is needed. In general, being justified from
geopolitical point of view, interest of NATO to the region of
the Southern Caucasus should be materialised in practical projects.
Expansion of NATO and accepted three new members
should be organically complemented by special bilateral relations
of NATO with interested partners, and, first of all, with Azerbaijan.
Establishment of NATO Information Office in
Baku will strengthen real co-operation of Azerbaijan with this
Organisation.
There exist also a number of measures and proposals
in military-technical and military spheres and also in the sphere
of security of pipelines and oil and gas fields, coastal protection,
air control and sea surface control systems in Azerbaijan's national
sector of Caspian, struggle with terrorism and spread of dangerous
materials and technologies. With this regard it is necessary to
use in full the potential of Commission on Azerbaijan-NATO co-operation.
Declaring its readines to participate in peaceful
operation under NATO command in Kosovo, Azerbaijan gave clear
and obvious signal on its intentions which should be supported
by NATO.
In the context of the process of the settlement
of the Armenian-Azerbaijan conflict special interest is caused
by peacemaking resources of NATO within forming in practice the
concept of peacekeeping operations under NATO command.
At present Azerbaijan signed Agreements with
NATO member-states and other countries, participants to PFP Program,
in connection with status of their military forces and also, Additional
Protocol to the Agreement. In the nearest time this document is
going to be presented for ratification to Milli Mejlis.
Deliberate limited co-operation by Armenia with
NATO due to its anti-Turkey policy, bilateral military-strategic
union with Russia and participation in the Treaty on collective
security should not limit NATO in its relations with Azerbaijan.
July 1999
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