 | Defense Minister voices astonishment to Greek ambassador |
Defense Minister Safar Abiyev voiced his astonishment in a meeting with Greek ambassador Mercurios Carafotias and the embassy’s military attaché Georgios Bardamascos Thursday over the training of a Greek peace-keeping battalion for Armenia.
The parties spoke of the military and political situation in the Caucasus. The Azeri minister touched upon the issue of occupation of Azeri lands by Armenia. The diplomat indicated that Greece was keen on expanding comprehensive cooperation with Azerbaijan. He said, “Despite our good relations with Armenia, we always say to them that they are wrong. We always support the position of Azerbaijan internationally and the principle of restoring its territorial integrity”.
With regard to bilateral Greek-Azeri military relations, the ambassador said Greece does not intend to influence Azerbaijan’s traditionally friendly relations with neighboring countries. “We have come to Azerbaijan as friends”, he said.
In reply, the minister said, “We were very surprised to find out that Armenian military officers are trained in Greek military schools and that Greece is training a peace-keeping battalion for Armenia. If the war starts, the participation of any military detachment being set up for Armenia is not ruled out. Besides, can a country which has itself occupied our lands and refuses to enforce 4 UN SC resolutions engage in peace-keeping activities? This is nonsensical.” The ambassador responded, “You are right”.
General Abiyev said further that dual standards would eventually reverse for all countries exercising it, says an MOD news-release.*
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Issue: February, 1, 2001
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