Baku, December 1, AZERTAC

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has received a delegation led by Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Europe, the Middle East and Africa at the US Department of Commerce Michael Lally.

US ambassador to Azerbaijan Robert Cekuta, who also participated in the meeting, pointed to economic relations between the two countries, hailing the successful bilateral cooperation in the energy sector.

Noting the importance of the first Azerbaijan-US business forum being held in Baku, the ambassador said that the event creates good opportunities for establishing business relations between the two countries. One of the key objectives of the forum is to discuss ways of addressing the challenges facing Azerbaijan, the ambassador said.

Robert Cekuta emphasized that sharp changes in oil prices around the world have affected the economic situation too. Saying 25 years have passed since the restoration of state independence of Azerbaijan, the ambassador described the country as a strong partner for the US. He said his country welcomes all the positive changes taking place in Azerbaijan.

Pointing to Azerbaijan-US economic relations, President Ilham Aliyev hailed the successful development of cooperation between the two countries in the energy sector as well as rapid implementation of key energy projects. He stressed the importance of focusing on cooperation in non-oil sector, as well as Azerbaijan's more active collaboration with the United States in this area. The head of state underlined Azerbaijan's interest in the US' increasing investment in the country's non-oil sector and stressed the importance of getting greater practical results. President Ilham Aliyev praised the significance of organizing presentations aimed at promoting Azerbaijan among U.S. medium and small companies engaged in entrepreneurship.

Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Europe, the Middle East and Africa at the U.S. Department of Commerce Michael Lally

recalled with pleasure the years when he worked at the US Embassy in Azerbaijan. Michael Lally extended greetings of the United States Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker to President Ilham Aliyev, saying he highly values the Azerbaijani President`s support for Azerbaijan-US business relations. He also described the meeting between President Ilham Aliyev and Penni Pritzker as very constructive.