Meeting devoted to 10 years of joining of Azerbaijan to Partnership for Peace (May 4, 2004)
26.03.2006
Azerbaijani Youth Euro-Atlantic Organization held a conference that was titled "Partnership for Peace-10" in International Media Center on 4 May 2004. Republic of Azerbaijan joined "Partnership for Peace" program of NATO on 4 May 1994. This step can be regarded as another phase of the process of Azerbaijani integration to Euro-Atlantic structures. After gaining independence Azerbaijan saw its political future in Europe and ensuring its security in NATO. So, 4 may of 2004 is the day of 10th year of the cooperation of Azerbaijan with NATO within "Partnership for Peace". During this period Azerbaijan has achieved many steps for the adaptation to NATO standards. After new enlargement NATO's cooperation with new members will take new dimension. In this aspect, Azerbaijani Youth Euro-Atlantic Organization found it important to organize a conference titled "Partnership for Peace -10" for the evaluation of 10 years activity and determination of ways for further cooperation. The representatives of the embassies of foreign countries in Azerbaijan (USA, Turkey, Germany, France, Greece, Great Britain) took part in this conference and delivered interesting speeches on these issues. At the same time, deputy minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Republic Araz Azimov, chief of International Military Cooperation department at the Ministry of Defense, representatives of NGO-s and Mass media were among the participants. After the speech of AYEAO chief deputy minister A.Azimov delivered a speech about Azerbaijani participation in "Partnership for Peace" program stating main activities achieved by Azerbaijan within this program. Deputy minister also spoke about further cooperation of Azerbaijan with NATO especially within Individual Action Plan and his hopes concerning Istanbul summit due to be held in June 2004. The speech of chief of International Military Cooperation department at the Ministry of Defense concerned mainly military and technical aspects of NATO cooperation with partner countries, the participation of Azerbaijani officers in military trainings within partnership programs, participation of Azerbaijani military contingents in operations in Kosovo, Afghanistan, and Iraq. The ambassadors of Turkey Republic and Great Britain also shared their viewpoints with the participants and answered to the questions of NGOs and students.
