On September 7th Secretary General of NATO Anders Fogh Rasmussen visited Azerbaijan Diplomatic Academy where he met its teaching staff and students.
Prior to the meeting, rector of the academy Hafiz Pashayev briefed Rasmussen on the facility`s activity and future plans.
Addressing the event, Mr. Pashayev said it was very important that NATO Secretary General would deliver a speech as part of the ADA`s Global Perspective lecture series.
On the Azerbaijan-NATO relations, the rector noted Azerbaijan joined NATO`s Partnership for Peace programme in 1994.
He also recalled national leader Heydar Aliyev`s speech at the NATO`s 50th anniversary ceremony.
Pashayev said Azerbaijan had successfully cooperated with NATO in a variety of fields.
The rector added the NATO Secretary General`s visit to Azerbaijan would contribute to expanding cooperation between the country and the organization even more.
Fogh Rasmussen expressed pleasure with his visit to Azerbaijan.
He noted the important steps were taken for development of the Azerbaijan-NATO cooperation even more.
The NATO Secretary General praised Azerbaijan`s contribution to international peacekeeping operations in Afghanistan.
"Azerbaijan is a reliable partner for us in Afghanistan."
Touching upon the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, he noted the dispute must be settled peacefully, through the OSCE Minsk group.
Mr. Rasmussen responded to students` questions.
The NATO Secretary General was presented with keepsakes.

AzerTAc