BAKU. May 19 (Interfax) - Azerbaijan's plans to integrate into European and Euro-Atlantic institutions does not mean that it intends to join any military blocs, including NATO, Azeri Foreign Ministry spokesman Elxan Poluxov said.
"Azerbaijan is consistently taking all the steps aimed at integration into European and Euro-Atlantic institutions, but integration does not mean membership. Azeri authorities have never brought up the issue of NATO membership," Poluxov said.
Azerbaijan will join the Non-Aligned Movement at a ministerial meeting of the organization in Bali on May 25-27, Poluxov said. Azerbaijan will be represented at this event by Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov.
"By expressing its desire to join the Non-Aligned Movement, Azerbaijan once again demonstrates its openness in foreign policy and its attitude toward military blocs. Azerbaijan does not intend to be a participant in any military bloc in the future," Poluxov said.