Opposition figure Gulu Mammadli stated that the arrest of Ali Karimli, leader of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA), was expected, but the reasons go beyond simple criticism of the authorities. According to Mammadli, Karimli's publications in major Western media have increased his political significance and visibility abroad, which has caused concern among the Azerbaijani authorities.
NATO is very encouraged by Yerevan's shift towards the alliance in foreign and defense policy and wants even greater closeness. NATO Special Representative for the South Caucasus Javier Colomina stated this in an interview with Armenpress agency.
According to him, in just two years he made seven visits and is quite pleased that “over the past few years, Armenia has decided to politically and practically intensify cooperation with NATO.” Armenia has decided to increase the number of its troops in the NATO peacekeeping force in Kosovo (KFOR) by more than 50 people.
“Our policy is very simple - we support the normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. We do not take a position between our partners, unless there is a violation of the principles and fundamental norms of the UN Charter, to which we are very attached,” Colomina said.