Azerbaijan committed to contribute to Afghan economy, security

Azerbaijan’s contribution to the stability and development of Afghanistan goes well beyond its involvement in NATO operations.

President Ilham Aliyev has announced about this at a session of Heads of State and Government of Afghanistan and Allies and their Resolute Support Operational Partners as part of the NATO Warsaw Summit held on July 8-9.

“We support Afghanistan bilaterally on its path of reforms towards self-reliant future by providing practical assistance in the areas of military training, education, infrastructure, transportation, investments, and increasing the role of women in society.” President Aliyev said, drawing attention of the audience to the fact that security and sustainable development of Afghanistan is vital for the regional and global stability.

The president emphasized that Azerbaijan, as a reliable NATO partner and friend of Afghanistan, will continue its significant troop contribution to the Resolute Support Mission and provide a multi-modal transit.

Azerbaijan has already several times made substantial donations to the Afghanistan National Army (ANA) Trust Fund and will continue to support this Fund financially in line with the pledges the country made.

“We remain committed to a longterm political partnership and a practical cooperation with Afghanistan. After conclusion of the Resolute Support Mission, we envisage contribution through the enhanced Enduring Partnership,” President Aliyev said.

Azerbaijan is interested in Afghanistan’s economy as it represents a wide space of cooperation, while the Afghan side welcomes Azerbaijani investors and money.

The two countries have great prospects for cooperation in diplomatic, political, economic, military, cultural, humanitarian and other spheres. Azerbaijan, with its great experience in the oil sector attracts Afghanistan’s economy. Also, Afghanistan is interested in the electricity production via natural gas, the mining sector and petroleum. The head of the state reminded that Azerbaijan has made substantial financial and technical contribution to the implementation of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway project to be completed in the nearest future, adding that this project will connect European and Asian railroads through Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan is a very important partner for Afghanistan in terms of transit opportunities, as Kabul can reach a new level of development while becoming closer to Europe through Azerbaijan.

“Afghanistan can also join this vital transportation network. Construction of the biggest international trade seaport in the Caspian region in our country provides new opportunities for cooperation in Eurasia. I am sure Afghanistan will also benefit from this project. Azerbaijan-NATO partnership is based upon the principles of international law and indivisibility of security,” the president said, voicing regret that there are still violations of these principles.

In his address to the participants, President Aliyev highlighted the fact that the continued use of force against Azerbaijan by Armenia, whose armed forces occupied almost 20 percent of Azerbaijan’s territories, ethnically cleansed about one million Azerbaijanis, and committed war crimes, not only undermines the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan but also represents a grave threat to regional security.

The president reminded that for more than twenty years, Armenia refuses to implement the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council, which demand immediate, full and unconditional withdrawal of Armenian troops from Azerbaijan.

“We support the statements of the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group as well as the Chairman-in-Office of the OSCE saying that “statusquo is not acceptable”,” the president said clarifying that changing the status-quo means beginning of de-occupation of the territories of Azerbaijan.

President Aliyev further appraised the renewed commitment by NATO to support Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity, independence and sovereignty, as reiterated in Warsaw Summit Declaration.

The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has brimmed and simmered for over two decades, but it escaped the due attention of the international community. Everything has changed with the worst outbreak of violence since a 1994 ceasefire in early April.

Following the April escalation, dubbed as the Four Day War, the international community realized the necessity of solving this dangerous conflict.

Azerbaijan and Armenia for over two decades have been locked in conflict, which emerged over Armenian territorial claims.

Despite the ceasefire achieved in 1994, low-scale fighting continued along the line of contact for the past 22 years. Failure of the Mediating group -- the OSCE Minsk Group -- to make meaningful progress toward peace only brought a backslide toward more war rhetoric.