Baku plays a stabilizing role in relations between different states, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said.

“Azerbaijan plays a stabilizing role in relations between different countries. The relations between our neighbors (Russia and Turkey – Ed.) have recently been seriously strained, and we played our role in their reconciliation. We were able to achieve our goals” Aliyev stressed on Thursday at the 5th Global Baku Forum. Interfax quotes his words.

According to him, recent events have shown that Moscow and Washington consider Baku as their reliable partner.

“A historical event has recently taken place in Baku. The military leaders of the United States and Russia decided to hold a meeting of the chiefs of their general staffs in Azerbaijan. Choosing Azerbaijan as the venue for the meeting was not our initiative. They appealed to us with such a proposal” Aliyev said.

The President stressed that Azerbaijan pursues an independent policy, “and this is highly appreciated by our partners.” “We are perceived as an independent state, and not as a satellite state like some others” the head of state said.

I. Aliyev stressed the active cooperation of Azerbaijan with NATO. “We are not members of NATO, but nevertheless we provide technical and financial support to the government of Afghanistan, including carrying out air transportation in the framework of cooperation with NATO in this country,” the president said.

Source: minval.az