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In this light we also count on the active role of NATO and the Council of 
Euro-Atlantic Partnership which should not be indiff erent observers to the 
con¬fl icts in the Caucasus. It is necessary to take into account that these con-
fl icts seriously threaten the European security, as a whole.
I would like to take the advantage of the meeting today and declare that the 
Republic of Azerbaij an welcomes the creation of the Council of Euro-Atlantic 
Partnership and considers it as an important mechanism for political consulta-
tions and active cooperation between NATO partner-countries.
We take an active part in NATO’s “Partnership for Peace” Program and hope 
that this program will fur¬ther contribute to the improvement of our military 
forces, to adapt them to the aims and tasks for providing peace and stability in 
Europe.
In conclusion, I would like to congratulate Presidents of Poland, Hungary 
and the Czech Republic on their admission to NATO.
Thank you for the att ention !
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Distinguished Mr. Solana!
I express my gratitude for the sincere words concerning the Republic of 
Azerbaij an and to me personally. I would like to inform you that being a distin-
guished political fi gure you are well known in Azerbaij an, your visit to Azer-
baij an is still considered as an important event, and the NATO-Azerbaij an re-
lationships established not long ago and strengthening steadily in the course 
of the last years are connected with your name. It is a great pleasure to stress 
the special role of the personal friendship relationships established between us 
in this matt er.
Along with this, I would like to state that the results of the Summit of NATO 
and Council of Euro-Atlantic Cooperation member – countries held in Madrid 
on 8-9 July would play an important role in the resolution of numerous global 
problems and strengthening the cooperation of our country with diff erent bod-
ies of this international organization.
I assure you that the independence of our country is eternal and steadfast. 
Permanent stabilization of socio-political situation in our country and support 
provided by our people to this process are the most important indicators of 
consolidation of our independence. All this enables us to take more serious 
steps towards the sett lement of our most painful problem – the Armenian–
Azerbaij ani confl ict,- peacefully, and solve the problem of the territorial integ-
rity of our country.
The statement signed in Denver by the Presidents of the three co-chairing 
countries of the Minsk Group of OSCE – Mr. Bill Clinton, Mr. Boris Yeltsin and 
Mr. Jacques Chiraque, - pleases us a lot and highlights the increase of eff orts 
undertaken by the co-chairing countries in this sphere. I hope that the military 
confl ict will be ended in 1997; I will discuss it largely with Mr. Bill Clinton dur-
ing the meeting with him at the White House.
Mr. Solana, I invite you once again to visit Azerbaij an. I hope that your visit 
will promote strengthening the NATO-Azerbaij ani cooperation. Thank you.
Speech of Azerbaij ani President Heydar Aliyev at the 
meeting with Mr. Javier Solana, NATO Secretary 
General - New-York
July 27, 1997
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Heydar Aliyev: Distinguished Mr. Javier Solana!
I cordially welcome you and I am pleased to see you again in Baku. 
Javier Solana: I am glad to come to Azerbaij an again. I am pleased to see 
you, the prominent political leader, and exchange views with you.
Heydar Aliyev: I remember our meetings in Lisbon, Madrid, Baku, as well as 
in New-York during my fi rst offi
  cial visit to the United States. 
Javier Solana: I also remember those meetings. They are of great signifi cance 
for establishing and strengthening cooperation between the independent Azer-
baij an and the North Atlantic Alliance.
Heydar Aliyev: I also emphasize the importance of these relations. During 
my visit to Brussels in the May of 1994 and in 1996 I signed “Partnership for 
Peace” program in the headquarters of NATO and presented the document 
for joining to the program. Relations with NATO improve rapidly. Azerbaij an 
highly appreciates this cooperation and intends to further it in the years to 
come. In my opinion, Mr. Solana’s visit gives a chance to discuss some issues 
in this regard. 
Javier Solana: I entirely share your views. I evaluate negotiations during 
this visit as a continuation and development of previous meetings. A number 
of events took place around the globe at the end of our century. Today this 
process is globalized, hence security isssues are on the focal point. It is possible 
to acquire more from the views exchanged with an experienced politician, like 
President Heydar Aliyev.      
Heydar Aliyev: I think Mr. Javier Solana you know that political, economic, 
social, moral and psycological conditions have been set up for comprehensive 
development in Azerbaij an. All conditions have been established for the de-
velopment of market economy. Along with sett ing up of new infrastructures, 
present infrastructures operate properly. In short, broad reforms have been 
carried out. All actions have been taken for  integrating Azerbaiajn into the 
world community, market economy, secular, legal and democratic state build-
ing. To achieve security in the world at the end of our century is very crucial. 
Particularly, it is of great importance for Azerbaij an. The existence of the Ar-
menian-Azerbaij ani confl ict not only threatens the security of our independent 
state, but also hampers the process of state building. Regardless of immense 
From the Speech of the Azerbaij ani President, Heydar Aliyev 
with Secretary  - General of NATO Javier Solana 
in Baku, Azerbaij an
September 30, 1998
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