Azerbaijan, NATO discuss normalisation of Baku-Yerevan ties

Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov met with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on March 18.

The cooperation issues between Azerbaijan and NATO, as well as the current situation in the region in the post-conflict period, were discussed during the meeting, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry told Caliber.Az.

Bayramov emphasised the importance of further developing cooperation between Azerbaijan and NATO, joint activity within the Partnership for Peace programme, which turns 30 this year. The cooperation between Azerbaijan and NATO, aimed at promoting international peace and security, also covers such spheres as reforms, improvement of skills in relevant spheres.

The minister spoke about Azerbaijan’s preparation for hosting the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) this year, large-scale restoration and construction work in the liberated territories, the mine threat, and the process of normalising relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia. The minister emphasised the importance of the international community's support for Azerbaijan's fight against the mine problem, which threatens the lives of citizens.

Moreover, Bayramov stated that historical conditions have emerged for promoting the peace agenda between Azerbaijan and Armenia, noting that Azerbaijan is making efforts to fully use these opportunities.

Stoltenberg stated that Azerbaijan demonstrates exemplary activity in many peacekeeping missions within the cooperation with NATO, and noted Azerbaijan’s important contribution to the energy security of the NATO member states.

He expressed confidence that Azerbaijan's chairmanship in COP29 will promote synergy between energy security and the fight against climate change.

The views on other regional and international issues of mutual interest were exchanged at the meeting.