NATO IMS Chief Visits Azerbaijan

NATO and Azerbaijan have a long-standing partnership, for 30 years, since Azerbaijan joined the Partnership for Peace in 1994. The collaboration has focused on issues of mutual concern - from energy security to capability development. NATO's Science for Peace and Security program has also underpinned cooperation to enhance counter-terrorism and strengthen cyber security. "We welcome Azerbaijan's contributions to our shared Euro-Atlantic security. Azerbaijan has increased the supply of natural gas to Europe and provided humanitarian aid to Ukraine," said Lieutenant General Janusz Adamczak, also welcoming Azerbaijan's interest in contributing to NATO's advising and capacity building mission in Iraq.

During the visit LTG Adamczak met with Colonel General Karim Valiyev, first Deputy Minister of Defence - Chief of the General Staff of the Azerbaijan Army, to discuss how to develop the Partnership further. "NATO is preparing a new framework for cooperation with Azerbaijan with a special focus on defence education, interoperability, resilience and defence capacity building, LTG Adamczak said. In his speech at the Military Academy in Baku he focused on NATO's reinforcement of collective defence, while also outlining the way ahead for the ongoing relationship between Azerbaijan and NATO. "Your dedication as a NATO Partner to our operations, missions and activities is more than welcomed. It is the proof that military cooperation between NATO and its Partners is mutually beneficial to all of us," LTG Adamczak told his audience.

While in Baku, the Director General of the NATO International Military Staff also discussed Russia's war on Ukraine with his hosts. It is important that Azerbaijan continues to show its solidarity with Ukraine and its independence and territorial integrity, "Lieutenant General Janusz Adamczak said.