On March 17, President Ilham Aliyev of the Republic of Azerbaijan engaged in both one-on-one and expanded meetings with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. Subsequently, President Aliyev and Secretary General Stoltenberg addressed the media in statements.

President Aliyev said, "The NATO-Azerbaijan partnership, spanning over three decades, reflects our commitment to cooperation. Azerbaijan's active participation in peacekeeping missions, notably in Kosovo and Afghanistan, underscores our dedication to shared objectives. The recent withdrawal of our forces from Afghanistan symbolizes our resolve in this regard. Significant reforms within our Armed Forces have yielded commendable results, enhancing our defense capabilities and professionalism."

"The resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict through the Second Karabakh War and subsequent anti-terror operations has restored Azerbaijan's territorial integrity and sovereignty. This milestone underscores the efficacy of military-political means in resolving protracted conflicts, with our actions grounded in the UN Charter's right to self-defense," he said. 

"Presently, Azerbaijan is engaged in constructive peace negotiations with Armenia, marking a pivotal shift towards regional stability. The progress achieved through seven rounds of discussions and recent high-level meetings signals a promising trajectory towards lasting peace in the South Caucasus," the Azerbaijani leader noted.

"Our discussion also touched upon energy security, with Azerbaijan emerging as a reliable gas supplier to NATO member states. The expansion of our partnerships in this domain underscores our role as a pivotal player in European energy security," Aliyev concluded.

Secretary General Stoltenberg emphasized: "It's a pleasure to be in Baku, marking my inaugural visit to Azerbaijan as NATO Secretary General. My previous visits in the 1990s as Norway's Minister of Energy left a lasting impression of Azerbaijan's vibrant energy sector. Azerbaijan's evolving ties with NATO member states underscore its growing significance in ensuring energy security for Europe. Our longstanding partnership, manifested through Azerbaijan's contributions to NATO missions in Kosovo and Afghanistan, reflects our shared commitment to regional stability."

"The ongoing peace talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan offer a historic opportunity for enduring peace. Azerbaijan's proactive stance in seeking a peaceful resolution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is commendable and underscores the importance of dialogue in resolving regional disputes," he added.

"Furthermore, Azerbaijan's support for Ukraine amidst ongoing Russian aggression is vital. The humanitarian aid provided to Ukraine is invaluable in addressing the humanitarian crisis," the secretary-general noted.

Meeting with Foreign Minister

On March 18, Jeyhun Bayramov, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, met with NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg. During the discussion, they addressed the ongoing cooperation agenda between Azerbaijan and NATO and the regional situation in the post-conflict period.

Minister Bayramov underscored Azerbaijan's commitment to advancing its cooperation with NATO, particularly highlighting joint endeavors within the "Partnership for Peace" program, which marks its 30th anniversary this year.

He emphasized that Azerbaijan's engagement aims to contribute to global peace and security, which is reflected in ongoing reforms, enhancements, and professional development efforts in relevant sectors.

Minister Bayramov emphasized the importance of international community support in addressing the mine issue, which jeopardizes citizen safety, and ongoing reconstruction endeavors. He pointed out historical conditions conducive to advancing the Azerbaijan-Armenia peace agenda and reiterated Azerbaijan's ongoing efforts to capitalize on opportunities in this direction.

Secretary General Stoltenberg acknowledged Azerbaijan's role in bolstering energy security in the NATO region and its commendable performance in numerous peacekeeping missions within NATO cooperation. He expressed confidence that Azerbaijan's COP29 presidency this year will enhance synergy between energy security and climate change mitigation efforts.