On 3 July, at the embassy of the United States of America was arranged an official party on the occasion of the 227th anniversary of the Declaration on independence of the United States.Speaking at the ceremony Chairman of the Milli Majlis (Azerbaijan Parliament) of Azerbaijan Republic Murtuz Alaskarov on behalf of the President of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev congratulated the guests, wished the American people peace and tranquility.Speaker of Azerbaijan Republic informed that President Heydar Aliyev sent a congratulation message to the President of the US George Bush on this landmark event and conveyed him best wishes of the people of Azerbaijan. Murtuz Alaskarov noted that cooperation between the US and Azerbaijan was established after proclamation of independence of Azerbaijan, and after return in 1993 of Heydar Aliyev to power these relations were given special importance.Currently cooperation between the two countries have reached a new phase, the phase of strategic partnership, Mr. Alaskarov underlined. After the waiver of the 907 Section of the US Congress to the Freedom Support Act in support of free development, the economic links between the two countries acquired larger extent. The Speaker also stressed the expansion of parliamentary links between the US and Azerbaijan.Speaker of the Azerbaijan Parliament stressed special role of the President of Azerbaijan in constant development of the relations between the two countries, as well as the importance of the visits to the United States and talks, conducted with the officials of this country.Charge de’affire of the United States in Azerbaijan Ms. Nancy Mcldowny, speaking at the ceremony noted that such freedoms as freedom of word, conscience, choice, and trust in their inviolability promoted development of the United States. Struggle for democracy, tolerance, defense of rights of everybody who serves the people, are the fundamentals for strategic cooperation and friendship between the United States and AzerbaijanThe American diplomat underscored that today American and Azerbaijani soldiers shoulder-on-shoulder serve in the name of protection of these rights in Kosovo, Afghanistan. It will continue in Iraq shortly.Responsible employees of the President Administration, ministers, Members of Parliament, heads of diplomatic missions of foreign countries in Baku, representatives of intelligentsia and pubic attended the event.