Defense Minister attends NATO meeting

The meeting brought together Defense Ministers from NATO member states and partner states, including Azerbaijan’s Defence Minister, Colonel General Safar Abiyev.

According to APA, the issue of operating large-scale operations which are new in the history of the NATO was discussed on the first day. The Defense Ministers from the 25 NATO member states in the Defence Planning Committee formed structures of authorities for power planning of the Alliance. NATO official James Appathurai told journalists the document signed by the Defence Ministers will not be made public.

"This does not mean that NATO is getting prepared for a big war. The planning process of the Alliance gives impetus to NATO’s carrying out larger-scale operations. NATO was subject to many large scale changes within its opportunities. This power planning will be carried out by taking into account realities of the 20th century. The latest planning can be regarded as fundamental changes to the structure of the NATO powers," the NATO official said.

The NATO Defence Minister ratified a number of items for efficient activity of the alliance. The adopted document will be a base to preparation of new rules on cooperation between NATO and partner states at the summit in Riga scheduled for 28-29 November this year. The issue on increasing the number of NATO forces in Afghanistan will also be discussed in Riga Summit.