NATO, Azerbaijan agree to deepen partnership

NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen Wednesday met the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev at NATO headquarters and discussed ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation. "We are determined to reinvigorate our political dialogue including on strategic issues, such as energy security and counter terrorism," Rasmussen told reporters after the meeting. "Azerbaijan is a country of pivotal importance for Europes energy security and to peace and stability in the Caucasus and an important partner for NATO. And today we agreed that we will continue to build a solid, long-term partnership," he said. Rasmussen said that Allies appreciate the "steadfast support" provided by Azerbaijani troops in Afghanistan and appreciate the political support to NATO operations through over-flight and transit lines. Azerbaijan also contributes to the training of Afghan security forces. On his part, Aliyev said Azerbaijan has been a member of NATOs Partnership for Peace Programme since twenty years and noted that it was his fifth visit to NATO to continue the strategic dialogue and deepen cooperation and partnership with the 28-member Alliance. He said almost 40 percent of non-lethal cargo to ISAF troops in Afghanistan is passing through Azerbaijan stressing that it is a "very reliable and safe route". They also talked about the construction of a gas pipeline to deliver gas from Azerbaijan to Europe. This project is of energy diversification and energy security for Europe, he added.