France and Turkey are blocking NATO plans to deepen cooperation with Armenia and Azerbaijan, leaving new partnership agreements stalled for more than a year.

France and Turkey are blocking NATO plans to deepen cooperation with Armenia and Azerbaijan, leaving new partnership agreements stalled for more than a year.

France has blocked Azerbaijan's NATO membership amid bilateral disputes, while Turkey has blocked Armenia's, insisting that both programs be approved together.

The proposed partnerships will expand joint exercises, military training and political cooperation.

NATO diplomats warn that the impasse could undermine efforts by Armenia and Azerbaijan to draw closer to the West as both countries distance themselves from Russia.

Source: POLITICO