Simmons: NATO Exclusively for Peace Settlement of Karabakh IssueNovember 19, 2005 - 13:30 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The NATO is for the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh issue, the NATO Secretary General's special representative for Central Asia and South Caucasus Robert Simmons said in a statement on 19 November in Baku at the meeting with the students of the Baku State University. According to him, the NATO is not a party involved in this conflict, therefore, the structure he represents "only follows the peace process within the OSCE Minsk Group". «We are confident the Minsk Group will be able to find the solution shortly," he said. Touching upon the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) oil pipeline security, the NATO special representative stated, that the Alliance is interested in this issue. Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey want to secure the pipeline safety and this is actual. «Therefore, all three states must apply joint efforts in this respect", Simmons said. The NATO special representative also underscored, that the way to NATO for Azerbaijan is open. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Freedom House: “Why are there no Armenians in Nagorno Karabakh?” Freedom House has published a report summary titled “Why are there no Armenians in Nagorno Karabakh?” Armenia says wants expanded transport, energy connectivity Pashinyan says Armenia is interested in the expansion of connectivity in transport, energy, telecommunications and other directions. Aliyev: Change in Armenia’s Constitution key for singing peace deal Ilham Aliyev has declared that most important condition for signing a peace agreement is for Armenia to change its Constitution. U.S. sees “extraordinary” opportunity for peace between Armenia, Azerbaijan U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken believes there is an “extraordinary” opportunity to reach a peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan. |