‘Azerbaijan is one of the NАТО`s closest allies’ said first vice speaker of the Azerbaijani parliament Ziyafat Asgarov in a meeting with NATO Secretary General`s Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia James Appathurai.

Asgarov noted Azerbaijan successfully cooperates with NATO in political, diplomatic spheres, as well as in fight against terrorism within framework of Partnership for Peace (PfP) and Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP). ‘Azerbaijan participates actively in ensuring peace and security in Euro-Atlantic space’, he added.

Asgarov briefed the NATO official on Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh conflict, noting rights of 1 million Azerbaijanis were violated as a result of Armenian aggression.

Speaking in the meeting, Appathurai praised relations between the sides and thanked Azerbaijan for the support for NATO`s mission in Afghanistan. ‘Azerbaijan is strategically important country for NATO’, he added.

NATO official noted he would spare no efforts to further the cooperation. On Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh conflict, he said United Nations supports territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.