CONDOLEEZZA RICE: “USA CONSIDERS AZERBAIJAN CLOSE FRIEND AND ALLY”
As the correspondent of AzerTAj informs, during the discussions which have been carried out with the assistant of the State Secretary on Europe and Eurasia affairs Elizabeth Jones, the assistant on military-political affairs Lincoln Bloomfield, the assistant on democracy, human rights and work by Michael Cossack, the Ambassador Plenipotentiary on international religious freedom John Hanford, Mr. Elmar Mammadyarov has in detail informed about carried out in Azerbaijan political and economic reforms, integration of our country into the NATO and other European structures, the steps undertaken by the government in the direction of improvement of situation, connected with human rights. The sides have carried out exchange of opinions on a wide spectrum of relations between the USA and Azerbaijan.
At the meeting with the American co-chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group and the adviser on diplomacy of the Caspian basin Steven Mann, discussed were ways of settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorny Karabakh conflict and power projects carried out in our region.
Mr. Elmar Mammadyarov also has met assistant to the US President on national security affairs Condoleezza Rice. Madam Rice has thanked the Azerbaijan side for the support rendered to struggle against global terror. Having expressed satisfaction with development of connections between our countries, Ms. Rice has told: “The United States considers Azerbaijan its “close friend and ally”.
Elmar Mammadyarov has told about situation in the complex geo-politic region in which Azerbaijan is located, about reforms carried out in our country. The Minister has noted, that the relations between Azerbaijan and the USA continue to remain at the level of strategic partnership.
The sides also have had exchange of views on development and transportation of power resources of the Caspian basin, programs of the US assistance in region of Southern Caucasus, relations of Azerbaijan with the next states. The Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorny Karabakh conflict was one of themes of negotiations. Condoleezza Rice has emphasized, that the US are interested in the immediate peace settlement of the problem and as the intermediary in the given area would support efforts on search of ways of settlement of the conflict.
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan has met also Congressmen - James Gibbon and chairman of subcommittee on external operations of the House of Representatives by James Coble. On discussions with American legislators, Elmar Mammadyarov has emphasized, that the decision of the Congress on granting in 2005 fiscal year of the military aid to Azerbaijan and Armenia in the identical size has not been unequivocally perceived in the country. He has stated: “While from first day of antiterrorist struggle Azerbaijan shows real support to the US, the Congress’s similar decisions directs the public of our country false political message. In reply to it, the Congressmen have noted, that they would try to bring to the notice of their colleagues the position of Azerbaijan in the said question.
Elmar Mammadyarov also met the board of editors of the newspaper “Washington Times”, has answered their numerous questions.
The American-Azerbaijan Chamber of Commerce has held a reception in honor of Minister of Foreign Affairs of our country. On reception, there were representatives of a diplomatic corps in Washington, the governmental structures of the US, the non-governmental organizations.
On July 24, Mr. Elmar Mammadyarov is to come back to Baku.
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