Compiled and edited by the NATO Contact Point Embassy (NATO CPE) in Azerbaijan– March 2016 –

     IN   THIS EDITION :  N A T O – A Z E R B A I J A N

- THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE “NATO 2016 WARSAW SUMMIT – OPPORTUNITIES AND EXPECTATIONS” HELD IN BAKU- ROUNDTABLE ON NATO-AZERBAIJAN COOPERATION ORGANIZED BY EMBASSY OF ROMANIA IN BAKU

P U B L I C D I P L O M A C Y - AMBASSADOR OF ROMANIA TO THE REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJAN GAVE AN INTERVIEW TO AZTV TELEVISION- AMBASSADOR OF ROMANIA TO THE REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJAN GAVE AN INTERVIEW TO ITV TELEVISIONAMBASSADOR OF ROMANIA TO THE REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJAN GAVE AN INTERVIEW TO TELEVISION CHANNEL LIDER TV AMBASSADOR OF ROMANIA TO THE REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJAN GAVE AN INTERVIEW TO CBC TELEVISION CHANNEL

R E G I O N - NATO DEPUTY SECRETARY GENERAL DISCUSSES REFORM PROGRESS AND STRENGTHENING OF COOPERATION WITH GEORGIAN FOREIGN MINISTER

N A T O H Q - NATO SECRETARY GENERAL COMMENDS ROMANIA FOR ITS CONTRIBUTIONS TO NATO N A T O – A Z E R B A I J A N THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE “NATO 2016 WARSAW SUMMIT – OPPORTUNITIES AND EXPECTATIONS” HELD IN BAKU

Embassy of Romania to Baku (in its capacity of NATO Contact Point Embassy in Azerbaijan) together with Institute for Human Rights of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Azerbaijan organized in Baku on 7 March 2016 the international conference “NATO 2016 Warsaw Summit – opportunities and expectations”. Representatives of the Administration of President, Ministries and Parliament of the Republic of Azerbaijan, NATO officials, ambassadors and military attaches of North Atlantic Alliance

NATO CPE – Azerbaijan Informative NewsletterNATO CPE – Azerbaijan Informative Newsletter

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member states accredited to Baku, members of diplomatic corps, experts and journalists took part in the event. The goal of the conference has been to bring added value to the discussions held on Euro-Atlantic security and the perspectives of cooperation between North Atlantic Alliance and partner countries, especially regarding NATO-Azerbaijan relations in the light of NATO 2016 Warsaw summit. In the opening speech Mrs. Aytan Mustafayeva, Director of the Institute for Human Rights of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Member of Parliament talked about the recent regional and global political developments, as well as the importance of the Azerbaijan-NATO relations.Ambassador of Romania to Baku H.E. Mr. Daniel Cristian Ciobanu highlighted that NATO’s strength derives from the fact that it is an Alliance based on values. NATO Summit in Warsaw (8-9 July 2016) will be a landmark event. At the Warsaw Summit further steps will be taken in ensuring collective defence of NATO member states. As we move towards the Summit, NATO is stepping up cooperation with its partners. Ambassador underlined that relations between NATO and Azerbaijan are developing strongly and they have a strategic value.Senior advisor of Foreign Relations Department of the Administration of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mr. Elmar Huseynov spoke about the cooperation between North Atlantic Alliance and Azerbaijan. Representatives of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Defense and Ministry of Emergency Situations presented key aspects of NATO-Azerbaijan relations. Head of NATO Liaison Office for South Caucasus Mr. William Lahue touched upon the main elements of NATO relations with Georgia in the light of Warsaw Summit. Steffen Elgersma from Political Affairs and Security Division at NATO Headquarters analyzed the future of NATO-Azerbaijan relations.Ambassador of United Kingdom H.E. Mr. Irfan Siddiq and Ambassador of Poland H.E. Mr. Marek Calka presented, from a national perspective, the main elements of NATO transformation from Wales Summit in 2014 to Warsaw Summit in 2016.Experts of Institute for Human Rights of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Azerbaijan referred to the security situation in the South Caucasus.Source: AzPress Agency (http://azpress.az/index.php?lang=en&sectionid=news&id=50094) Date: March 8, 2016

ROUNDTABLE ON NATO-AZERBAIJAN COOPERATION ORGANIZED BY EMBASSY OF ROMANIA IN BAKU

On March 11, 2016 Embassy of Romania, in its capacity of NATO Contact Point Embassy to the Republic of Azerbaijan, hosted a roundtable on NATO-Azerbaijan cooperation. At the event took part Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Romania responsible for strategic issues Daniel Ioniță, NATO officials, Ambassadors, Defence Attaches and senior diplomats from Embassies of NATO countries in Baku. Opening the roundtable Ambassador of Romania Daniel Cristian Ciobanu highlighted that

participation of Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Romania at the event is a proof of the importance that Romania attaches to NATO-Azerbaijan partnership.

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In the keynote speech of the roundtable Daniel Ioniță underlined Romania’s support for the development of partnership relations between NATO and Azerbaijan, reflected among others by the fact that Romanian diplomatic mission in Baku is performing for the fourth time in a row the mandate of NATO Contact Point Embassy to the Republic of Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan is a credible and committed partner of NATO. Daniel Ioniță emphasized that Romania highly appreciates Azerbaijan’s contribution in Afghanistan with logistical support/land-air transit and non-military engagement such as trainings, humanitarian de-mining, and a financial contribution to Afghanistan National Army Trust Fund.Director of Defence Planning, Defence Policy and Planning Directorate at NATO Headquarters Paul Savereux presented the main elements of the cooperation between NATO and Azerbaijan in the framework of PfP Planning and Review Process.Steffen Elgersma from Political Affairs and Security Division at NATO Headquarters touched upon Azerbaijan’s Individual Partnership Action Plan.Participants in the roundtable exchanged views on different aspects of joint interest regarding NATO-Azerbaijan cooperation.Source: AzPress Agency (http://azpress.az/index.php?lang=en&sectionid=news&id=50250) Date: March 11, 2016

P U B L I C D I P L O M A C Y

AMBASSADOR OF ROMANIA TO THE REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJAN GAVE AN INTERVIEW TO AZTV TELEVISION

On March 7, 2016 Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Romania to the Republic of Azerbaijan H.E. Mr. Daniel Cristian Ciobanu gave an interview to AzTV television.H.E. Mr. Daniel Cristian Ciobanu presented the main public diplomacy activities organized by Romanian diplomatic mission in Baku as NATO Contact Point Embassy in Azerbaijan.

Source: NATO CPE in Azerbaijan (http://baku.mae.ro/en/local-news/1029) Date: March 7, 2016

AMBASSADOR OF ROMANIA TO THE REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJAN GAVE AN INTERVIEW TO ITV TELEVISION

On March 7, 2016 Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Romania to the Republic of Azerbaijan H.E. Mr. Daniel Cristian Ciobanu gave an interview to ITV television.H.E. Mr. Daniel Cristian Ciobanu underlined that Romania, which has been the second country in the world to recognize Azerbaijan’s independence, considers that Azerbaijan is a very important and highly valued partner of the North-Atlantic Alliance. Ambassador

remarked that NATO Warsaw Summit on 8-9 July 2016 will be a landmark event.3

Source: NATO CPE in Azerbaijan (http://baku.mae.ro/en/local-news/1030) Date: March 7, 2016

AMBASSADOR OF ROMANIA TO THE REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJAN GAVE AN INTERVIEW TO TELEVISION CHANNEL LIDER TV

On March 7, 2016 Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Romania to the Republic of Azerbaijan H.E. Mr. Daniel Cristian Ciobanu gave an interview to television channel Lider TV.H.E. Mr. Daniel Cristian Ciobanu presented the main public diplomacy activities implemented by Romanian diplomatic mission in Baku as NATO Contact Point Embassy in Azerbaijan.

Ambassador Ciobanu noted the excellent cooperation with Azerbaijani authorities and non-governmental organizations.Source: NATO CPE in Azerbaijan (http://baku.mae.ro/en/local-news/1031) Date: March 7, 2016

AMBASSADOR OF ROMANIA TO THE REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJAN GAVE AN INTERVIEW TO CBC TELEVISION CHANNEL

On March 7, 2016 Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Romania to the Republic of Azerbaijan H.E. Mr. Daniel Cristian Ciobanu gave an interview to CBC television channel.Mr. Daniel Cristian Ciobanu underlined that cooperation between NATO and Azerbaijan in the field of public diplomacy is developing very successfully.

Source: NATO CPE in Azerbaijan ( http://baku.mae.ro/en/local-news/1032) Date: March 7, 2016

R E G I O N NATO DEPUTY SECRETARY GENERAL DISCUSSES REFORM PROGRESS AND STRENGTHENING OF COOPERATION WITH GEORGIAN FOREIGN MINISTER

NATO Deputy Secretary General Alexander Vershbow and Georgian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mikheil Janelidze met on Wednesday (2 March 2016) ahead of a meeting of the NATO-Georgia Commission. Ambassador Vershbow reiterated NATO’s support for Georgia’s ambitious reform agenda and welcomed Georgia’s commitment to the implementation of NATO’s Substantial Package of support to Georgia. During their meeting, the Deputy Secretary General

stressed the need for continued momentum in Georgia’s reform efforts and thanked Georgia for its contributions to the Alliance’s operation in Afghanistan. These contributions,

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he noted, have enabled Georgian forces to achieve a high degree of interoperability with NATO forces. Ambassador Vershbow also highlighted progress on the Substantial NATO-Georgia Package. He noted that implementation efforts are on the right track, demonstrating Allies’ commitment to Georgia’s security and progress towards membership in the Alliance. He also stressed the importance of continued work on the implementation of NATO’s Substantial Package and underscored Allies’ readiness to explore ways to strengthen NATO’s cooperation with Georgia, in line with the commitments towards Georgia made at the NATO Summit in Bucharest in 2008. Source: http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_128787.htm?selectedLocale=en Date: March 2, 2016

N A T O H Q NATO SECRETARY GENERAL COMMENDS ROMANIA FOR ITS CONTRIBUTIONS TO NATO

Meeting with Romanian Prime Minister Dacian Cioloş on Tuesday (8 March 2016), NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg thanked Romania for its contributions to Allied security. Calling Romania “a highly valued member of our Alliance,” Mr. Stoltenberg stressed that NATO “counts on Romania, and Romania can count on NATO.” The Secretary General commended Romania for its participation in NATO-led missions in Afghanistan and Kosovo, its contributions to Black Sea security, and its strong political support for NATO’s partners Moldova, Ukraine and Georgia. He also thanked Romania for hosting important

NATO assets, including the Multinational Division South East, a NATO Force Integration Unit in Bucharest, and an important part of NATO's missile defence system in Deveselu. Mr. Stoltenberg also welcomed Romania’s commitment to raise defence spending to 2% of GDP, in line with NATO guidelines.In their talks, Prime Minister Cioloş and the Secretary General addressed key issues on NATO’s agenda ahead of the Warsaw Summit, as well as NATO’s response to the biggest security challenges in a generation. “A strong NATO is the best guarantee for security in Europe,” the Secretary General said. Source http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_129045.htm?selectedLocale=en Date: March 8, 2016

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------This Newsletter is compiled from the news posted on the official webpages of NATO and affiliate Institutions, as well as of the Azerbaijani institutions, being edited by NATO Contact Point Embassy (CPE) in Azerbaijan. The news does not express necessarily the official positions of NATO or Azerbaijan.Within 2015-2016 years, the Embassy of Romania fulfils its fourth NATO CPE mandate in Azerbaijan.Contact address: Embassy of Romania, 125A Akad. Hasan Aliyev Av., Baku, Azerbaijan, Tel: +99412/4656378, E-mail: baku@mae.ro .

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