During a recent interview with Azerbaijan State Information Agency AZERTAC, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg emphasized the significance of Azerbaijan’s partnership with the Alliance, highlighting its pivotal role in regional security and energy cooperation.

Stoltenberg commended Azerbaijan’s longstanding collaboration with NATO over the past three decades, particularly its contributions to NATO-led missions in Kosovo and Afghanistan. He lauded the professionalism and dedication of Azerbaijani soldiers, noting their crucial role in safeguarding the Kabul airport during the evacuation efforts in Afghanistan.

One of the focal points of the discussion was Azerbaijan’s strategic importance in ensuring energy security for NATO allies, especially amidst Russia’s use of natural gas as a political tool. Stoltenberg underscored Azerbaijan’s role in diversifying energy sources for NATO members, reducing dependency on Russian gas supplies, and expressed NATO’s support for increasing imports of Azerbaijani gas.

Addressing the ongoing conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Stoltenberg stressed the urgency of achieving lasting peace in the region, acknowledging President Ilham Aliyev’s optimism regarding the prospects for a peace agreement. However, he also warned of the broader implications of the conflict, emphasizing the importance of regional stability for international peace and security.

The interview comes amid Stoltenberg’s tour of the South Caucasus, where he also visited Armenia and Georgia. In Armenia, he commended the country’s contributions to NATO operations and reiterated NATO’s support for Armenian sovereignty and territorial integrity. Stoltenberg urged both Armenia and Azerbaijan to work towards a durable peace settlement, emphasizing the potential risks of further escalation in the region.

Stoltenberg’s visit to the South Caucasus has drawn criticism from Russia, with Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov accusing NATO of seeking to gain a foothold in the region. However, Stoltenberg reaffirmed NATO’s commitment to supporting its partners in the face of external threats, including the conflict in Ukraine.

As tensions persist in the South Caucasus, NATO’s engagement with Azerbaijan underscores the Alliance’s efforts to enhance regional security and strengthen partnerships in the face of evolving geopolitical challenges. However, Azerbaijan’s complicated relationship with Western countries, especially organizations such as the Council of Europe and European Union, and its inept and corruption-ridden diplomatic service and officials, further complicate the situation. The complex dynamics of the region, including Armenia’s Western-oriented policy and the conflict with Azerbaijan, pose significant challenges for NATO’s efforts to strike a balance in the region.

In the context of Armenia’s alignment with Western interests and Azerbaijan’s delicate position vis-à-vis Russia, achieving a comprehensive and sustainable peace settlement remains a formidable task for NATO and its partners in the South Caucasus. As Stoltenberg’s visit highlights, navigating these complexities will require continued dialogue, cooperation, and diplomatic efforts to address the underlying causes of conflict and promote stability in the region.