Azerbaijan marks 20th anniversary of diplomatic relations with US
Baku, April 6 (AZERTAC). An event to mark the 20th anniversary of establishment of Azerbaijan-US diplomatic relations has been held here.
A video clip dedicated to the anniversary of diplomatic relations was screened at the event.
Charge d`Affaire of the US Embassy in Azerbaijan Adam Sterling spoke of bilateral relations. He said: “The changing face of Baku is emblematic of the remarkable distance of Azerbaijan has traveled in the 20 years since it regained its independence. The US has supported, and will do its best to continue supporting the progress Azerbaijan is making in its development as a peaceful, prosperous, and independent democracy. A strong Azerbaijan is a strong partner for the US, both within its own important region and around the globe. Over these past 20 years, we have worked together to establish deep, important and durable bonds. These bonds are based on shared interests and cooperation in the areas of security and energy, as well as democratic and economic reform.
Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline stands as testament to the strong cooperation between our governments over past 20 years.
As a Muslim-majority secular democracy that has overcome centuries of foreign domination and maintained long traditions of tolerance and modernism - Azerbaijan did, after all, allow women to vote before the US - Azerbaijan can serve as a model and a leader in this region and beyond.
On security closer to home, no issue is more important than our commitment to a peaceful and fair settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. As a co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, the US continues to work closely with the sides to achieve a lasting negotiated settlement”.
Speaking at the event, Deputy Foreign Minister Hafiz Pashayev underlined that bilateral ties developed and upgraded to the level of strategic partnership. This partnership relations were established by national leader Heydar Aliyev and former US President Bill Clinton. Without support of the US it would have been impossible to realize energy projects in Azerbaijan, while without Azerbaijan`s support the US-led global war on terrorism and radicalism would have been impossible too.
On Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict Pashayev stated that Azerbaijani society believed in 1992 in fair, neutral mediator role of the US. He said Azerbaijan wishes the American government to be more active in the settlement of the conflict.
Pashayev pointed out a number of important steps towards mutual understanding were taken during 20 years.
“We have to combine our efforts to deepen our ties,” he added.
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