Azerbaijan, NATO discuss prospects of bilateral relations PHOTO

A bilateral working meeting between Azerbaijani army servicemen and NATO experts on the Individual Partnership Operational Plan and Planning and Analysis Process (ITPP/PARP) program was held at the International Military Cooperation Department of the Azerbaijani Defence Ministry.

At the meeting, head of the International Military Cooperation Department Maj-Gen Huseyn Mahmudov stressed the development of ties between Azerbaijan and NATO, as well as the active participation of Azerbaijani army representatives in various NATO programs, Caliber.az reports.

The importance of such events and mutual visits in terms of experience exchange was especially stressed at the meeting.

In conclusion, a detailed exchange of views on the state and prospects of bilateral relations, as well as on other issues of mutual interest was held.

Relations with NATO started in 1992 when Azerbaijan joined the North Atlantic Cooperation Council. This forum for dialogue was succeeded in 1997 by the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council, which brings together all allies and partner countries in the Euro-Atlantic area.

Bilateral cooperation began when Azerbaijan joined the Partnership for Peace (PfP) program in 1994. Thanks to regular participation in PfP activities, Azerbaijan has been able to contribute actively to Euro-Atlantic security by supporting NATO-led peace-support operations.

Azerbaijan’s participation in the PfP Planning and Review Process (PARP) since 1997 has enabled NATO and individual allies to assist Azerbaijan in developing selected units to improve interoperability with those of the allies.

NATO and Azerbaijan started work on a jointly agreed Defense Education Enhancement Program (DEEP) in 2008 to integrate NATO standards into the teaching methodologies and curricula of the country’s Professional Military Education (PME) institutions.

In 2018, Azerbaijan asked NATO to also involve the Military High School, a pre-commissioning school, in DEEP.