President of Azerbaijan Republic Ilham Aliyev received responsible representative of the US Deputy Secretary of State on Euro-Asia issues Linn Pasco, 17 November.

Greeting the guest, President Ilham Aliyev said:

“Dear Mr. Linn Pasco, I cordially welcome you. You are welcome to Azerbaijan.

The relations between Azerbaijan and America are successfully developing. We successfully cooperate in all fields. I am convinced that this cooperation will continue in the years ahead. In the economic sphere, this cooperation has reached a higher level. With the support of the American state in Azerbaijan and region, we implement large-scale energy projects important for the international community.

You know that the international structures, International Finance Corporation, the European Bank have allocated appropriate funds for construction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline. To take into account that the American state has great influence in the World Bank and International Finance Corporation, we can suggest that these structures have allotted the said funds to the Project with the next assistance of the United States government.

In other spheres, including in the combat against terrorism, our bilateral relations are at high level. Azerbaijan has clearly demonstrated that it is a reliable partnership. President Mr. Bush stressed in his letter to me that Azerbaijan is a friendly country for America. This is true, indeed. You know that America is also a friendly country for Azerbaijan. Sure, this friendship will continue in future either and will bring together our countries closer”.

Expressing his gratitude for warm reception to the head of the Azerbaijani state, responsible representative of the US Deputy Secretary of State Linn Pasco said:

“Mr. President, I am deeply grateful for receiving me. Permit me to pass You greetings of President of the United States Mr. Bush and the US people. You may be sure that we shall cooperate with You as Azerbaijan President. As You know, we are connected with longstanding close ties. These ties indicate them in the great projects like Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan MEP. Indeed, as You say, we conduct necessary works that the International Finance Corporation and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development could allocate appropriate means for this Project.

At the same time, the United States is thankful to Azerbaijan for participation in the anti-terror operations. It is known that military forces of the United States and Azerbaijan earlier have jointly worked in Afghanistan. Now they are cooperating in Iraq. This is necessary for our longstanding relations. Generally, the Caucasus is considered as an important region both in the world policy and world economy. We stand ready to cooperate as in the past, in the coming years with you for the Country’s integration to West. This is one of our significant tasks.

Several months ago, we were pleased upon seeing You in Washington. We look forward for quick meetings”.

Ilham Aliyev: “Hank you very much. As you noted, the relations between our countries successfully goes ahead and some large-scale regional projects are being realized directly with the participation of Azerbaijan. Of course, peace and security should be restored in the region to realize such projects in future.

Currently, there are numerous conflicts in the region. Among them, the most serious is the Armenian-Azerbaijani, Nagorno Karabakh conflict. The United States, as a co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group plays its role the settlement of the conflict. We look forward that in the coming years, the United States with its influence will play more active role in settlement of the conflict and the conflict will find its solution in the frame of international legal norms.

You are well aware of the question. You yourself were a co-chair of the OSCE MG and knew the core of the issue. I hope that this conflict will find its solution in the recent coming years”.

Linn Pasco: “Mr. President, permit me to tell that we had large discussions with your father just on this topic and just in this residence. However, indeed, we should double our efforts to settle the question. We truly think and believe that this conflict drags behind the region. Both as the Minsk Group co-chair and as the United States, we shall work jointly to settle the conflict peacefully. Simply, we have to double our further efforts.

As you know, first, I came to Baku. Then, I shall visit Tbilisi, Yerevan and Ankara. Indeed, we are sure that the question will soon be settled.

Chief of the department of President Office Novruz Mammadov, US ambassador to Azerbaijan Reno Harnish and ambassador of Azerbaijan in Washington Hafiz Pashayev participated at the reception.