Russia is not too concerned about relations between Azerbaijan and NATO, despite high-profile visits and continued cooperation, an Azerbaijani opposition daily has said.

According to political analyst Elxan Sahinoglu, Russia understands that Baku has no intention to seek admission to NATO, Yeni Musavat reported on 11 March.

The analyst said that he does not believe that Moscow is very worried about the NATO delegation's visit.

"Russia realizes that there is no threat to Russia from Azerbaijan," he said.

He pointed out how much Azerbaijan spends on buying weapons from Russia.

"The strangeness of the situation is that we purchase most of weapons and military hardware from Russia. However, we prefer NATO when it comes to building the army. The worth of military hardware that Azerbaijan is set to purchase from Russia is close to 4bn dollars. This has to decrease Russia's concern. We are sending a message to Russia that we cooperate with NATO, but procure weapons from you," the analyst said.

Zuliani's visit

Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Transformation Gen Mirco Zuliani leads a NATO delegation that began its visit to Azerbaijan on 9 March, Defence Minister Zakir Hasanov received this delegation. At the meeting the sides discussed training, military education and exchange of expertise under the existing programmes, as well as the current state of relations and the projects under way, Yeni Musavat said.

Sahinoglu contrasted ties with NATO under Hasanov and his predecessor, Safar Abiyev. According to Sahinoglu, there was much talk, but little work for cooperation with NATO when Abiyev was Azerbaijan's defence minister. He praised increased ties with NATO and said this was in line with Azerbaijan's national and security interests.

"Unfortunately, although a lot was said about cooperation with NATO in the years when Abiyev was defence minister, concrete steps were not taken. However, after Hasanov was appointed defence minister it was felt that the new minister is keen to expand cooperation with NATO. Specific steps are being taken to this end. We can cite raising the army to NATO standards and the changes in the provision of soldiers and officers with food and clothes in line with NATO standards," he said.

Turkey and NATO membership

Sahinoglu said that Turkey is Azerbaijan's military ally and therefore there is nothing unusual about Azerbaijan adapting to NATO standards.

"Military cooperation between Turkey and Azerbaijan is expanding, a joint military industrial complex is being created and joint military exercises are held once every three months. That is, if we are military allies with a NATO member country, then we accept the standards that Turkey accepts. There is nothing unusual here," he said.

However, Azerbaijan does not wish to become a NATO member itself.

"The Azerbaijani government is right in not setting membership in NATO as a goal today. Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine set themselves this goal. We know what problems Russia caused for these countries. Were these countries admitted to NATO?" the expert said.

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