According to Aliyev, the Azerbaijani army will be adapted to NATO standards, which includes close cooperation with the Turkish Armed Forces. "The head of state noted that this cooperation is an important step in the modernization process," the statement said. Aliyev also emphasized that one of the key goals of independence achieved in the early 20th century was the return of historical lands and assured that the modernization of the army will continue.
In March 2024, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg visited Baku, where the parties discussed not only issues related to Karabakh but also the supply of Azerbaijani energy resources.
Azerbaijan's relations with NATO began to form in 1992 when the country joined the North Atlantic Cooperation Council, aimed at strengthening ties between alliance members and partners. In 1997, this council was renamed the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council (EAPC). In 1994, Azerbaijan became a participant in the Partnership for Peace (PfP) program, focused on Eastern European states and the former USSR. Additionally, there is an Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP) between Baku and NATO, which outlines the directions of military-technical cooperation.
