Elmira Tariverdiyeva, Baku. Exclusively to VK
For the first time, NATO stated its clear position on the Nagorno-Karabakh position, rather than showing indifference. And it is great achievement for Azerbaijan. The alliance stated its support for the territorial integrity, independence and sovereignty of Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, and Moldavia and urged sides in the conflicts to avoid steps which might break stability and security.
The NATO declaration adopted as a result of the summit in Chicago says: “We remain followers of support of territorial integrity, independence and sovereignty of Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, and Moldavia and will continue to support efforts aimed at peaceful settlement of regional conflicts, which is based on principles and norms of the international law, the UN Charter and Helsinki Final Act.”
The foreign minister of Armenia, Edward Nalbandyan, has already reacted at the declaration, stating that the composite phrasing of the declaration on the conflicts in the South Caucasus and Moldova contradicts the approach of the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group. According to the Armenian Foreign Ministry, considering concerns on the declaration text, President of Armenia decided not to participate in the Chicago summit.
The Armenian side was not prepared for such an active position of the alliance. Official Baku estimated the declaration text very positively and stated that Azerbaijan was interested in more active participation of NATO in settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The head of the Socio-Political Department under the presidential administration of Azerbaijan, Ali Gasanov, added that if NATO wants, it can make Armenia fulfill four UN resolutions on freeing occupied Azerbaijani territories in several hours.
Baku has been waiting for a certain position by the West and NATO for a long time. For many years the international society has just been saying on support of territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. Official Baku believes it closes eyes at Armenia’s violation of international and legal norms.
Representatives of the alliance have many times stated NATO has no intention to participate in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and the alliance doesn’t even take part in the peacemaking process provided by the Minsk Group. However, in March 2012 NATO questioned the process of settlement. “We concern about the Minsk process progress. We have heard from two presidents (Azerbaijan and Armenia) here, in NATO office, during recent weeks that they follow the process and peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh crisis. But in reality the Minsk process is followed by difficulties, especially in recent time,” the official representative of NATO in the South Caucasus, James Appaturay, said, according to Community.org.
The South Caucasus is important for NATO and the West from strategic point of view due to its location and energy transit to Europe. The South Caucasus is important for the USA and its European allies as the region of stability. And Azerbaijan might be one of the main partners of the alliance here. First of all, the country doesn’t strive for membership in NATO. Secondly, unlike Armenia, Azerbaijan is not involved in any military blocs, like the CSTO.
