NATO General for soonest conflict solution

Director of the Nato Partnership Coordination Group General Boleslav Izidorchik told a meeting with Azeri Defense Minister last week that the world community should influence and expedite peaceful solution to the Armenian-Azerbaijan conflict.

The Azeri Minister Safar Abiyev called on the international community to urge Armenia's unconditional pullout from the occupied lands of Azerbaijan. Armenia has been reluctant to making peace since a cease fire in 1994 and sponsors terrorism.

Azerbaijan has been cooperating with Nato within the framework of its "Partnership for Peace" program since 1994.

The Nato General said he had been to nearly all CIS countries, but hadn't seen as much progress in army building as in Azerbaijan.

"In spite of the fact that you are working in a time of war, military education level is still high", he noted.