Azerbaijan’s Caspian basin policy discussed at US National Defence University
Washington, February 1 (AZERTAC). Azerbaijan`s policy on the Caspian basin was discussed at the US National Defence University.
Azerbaijani ambassador to US Elin Suleymanov delivered a speech at the College of International Security Affairs at the National Defence University on 'Azerbaijan's politics on the Caspian region: prospects and challenges'.
While describing the impact of Azerbaijan's geographical location in formation of the directions of the country's foreign policy, the Ambassador said that mutually beneficial relations between the regional countries base on regional stability.
Speaking about the political and strategic advantages that Azerbaijani borders have with the Caspian Sea on the east, the Ambassador referred to the possibilities of reaching its rich energy resources. At present, energy projects implemented as a result of national leader Heydar Aliyev's farsighted policy, are also base on regional stability, Suleymanov said.
While informing the audience about the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline, the Ambassador called the project the most successful in region, supported by the United States.
The diplomat also spoke about current energy projects and in particular the Transatlantic Gas Pipeline (TANAP). While emphasising the high priority of natural gas transportation, Suleymanov spoke about Azerbaijan's role in ensuring Europe's energy security.
Speaking about Azerbaijan’s active participation in combating terrorism, the Ambassador mentioned the country's role in the activity within the Northern Distribution Network and stressed that more than 40 per cent of non-military goods supplied to Afghanistan pass through Azerbaijani territory.
After coalition forces are withdrawn from Afghanistan, the network will turn into a profitable trade corridor. As a result of attracting other regional countries, new opportunities will open for Afghanistan's economic and political development, he said. The network, which is an important part of the U.S. strategy called the New Silk Road, will be the guarantor of stability in the heart of Eurasia.
Founded in 1976, the main purpose of the U.S. National Defence University is to train military and civilian personnel and to assess the challenges of national and international security for the U.S. and foreign countries. The university which includes five colleges has graduates in 80 countries.
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