PRESIDENT OF AZERBAIJAN ILHAM ALIYEV MEETS US VICE-PRESIDENT DICK CHENEY
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev met US Vice-President Dick Cheney on Wednesday.
President Ilham Aliyev said:
- Dear Mr. Vice-President!
I am glad to see you again in Azerbaijan. We pay a big importance to your visit. Today, we had an opportunity to exchange views on our bilateral relations issues and regional developments. Successful development of our relations continues and covered many areas. Our relations have a very long history. They started mainly with energy issues, energy projects, which we implemented in our region initiated by Azerbaijan with a strong support of the United States. They all are implemented. It is a real success story.
And we are working now on the further development of energy partnership and diversification of energy supplies. And after that, relations between our countries started to develop also in different areas. It is important not only for consumers but also for producers of Azerbaijan. After that, relations between our countries started to develop also in different fields, covering a broad format of cooperation. Political ties are developing very successfully. Economic tie, relations in defense, security issues, our cooperation in peacekeeping operations around the world, issues of the settlement of Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict are all very important for us.
The United States, as one of the co-chairs of the Minsk Group, play a very important role in helping both sides to find a solution to the conflict. But of course, the solution must be based on international law norms, with the respect to the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, all countries of the region and world.
Of course, regional development here was discussed. Azerbaijan initiated many projects, which have a broad regional dimension, maybe, importance beyond the regional scale. And here also, relations between the United States and Azerbaijan play a very important -- I should say, decisive -- role in implementing of all these projects.
So far, we have been very successful. What we planned, we implemented. I am sure that strong partnership between United States and Azerbaijan and other countries of the region will lead to more successful solution. So, it will lead to strengthening security measures, peace, stability and prosperity.
US Vice-President Cheney said:
- Well, thank you very much, Mr. President, and it is a pleasure to see you again. And we remember very fondly your visit to the States two years ago. Of course, we met some years in the past when we were both in the energy business. It`s a pleasure to be here and to take up a longstanding invitation to visit. This is a trip that was planned some time ago. I want to thank you for the hospitality you`ve shown me, and my wife, and our delegation. And I`m honored, as well, to bring good wishes to the people of Azerbaijan from President Bush and the people of the United States.
The U.S. and Azerbaijan have many interests in common. We both seek greater stability, security and cooperation in the vital region of the world. We share the goal of energy security for ourselves and for the international community. And we are both devoted to the cause of peace. One of the basic foundations of security and peace is respect for national borders -- a principle that is endangered today. Mr.
President, although we decided on this visit months ago, we met this evening in the shadow of the recent Russian invasion of Georgia -- an act that has been clearly condemned by the international community.
President Bush has sent me here with a clear and simple message to the people of Azerbaijan and the entire region: The United States has deep and abiding interests in your well being and security. For almost two decades, we have stood by you to help your people build and consolidate their independence, sovereignty and integration as valued, respected members of the international community. Today, we reaffirm that commitment, and our determination to strengthen relations between our countries -- not just today, but for the long term.
America strongly supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. We are committed to achieving a negotiated solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict -- a solution that starts with the principle of territorial integrity, and takes into account other international principles. Achieving a solution is more important now than ever before; that outcome will enhance peace and stability in the region, and Azerbaijan`s security, as well.
America also appreciates Azerbaijan`s commitment to working with Western countries on energy issues. All peoples are best served when market principles are allowed to work; when there is transparency of information; when energy export routes are diverse and reliable. The United States strongly believes that, together with the nations of Europe, including Turkey, we must work with Azerbaijan and other countries in the Caucasus and Central Asia on additional routes for energy exports that ensure the free flow of resources. Energy security is essential to us all, and the matter is becoming increasingly urgent.
Finally, Mr. President, I want to express my country`s appreciation for the brave contributions that Azerbaijan is making to the fight against the global terrorism problem. Our forces have worked together in Afghanistan and Iraq. We cooperated to foil plots by violent extremists. Our countries are united in recognizing the threat posed to Azerbaijan and the world by the proliferation of nuclear weapons to dangerous regimes. America deeply appreciates Azerbaijan`s contributions to the cause of peace and security, both in this volatile region and internationally. And we support the people of Azerbaijan in their efforts, often in the face of great challenges, to strengthen democracy, the rule of law, and respect for human rights, and to build a prosperous, modern, independent country that can serve as a pillar of moderation and stability in this critical part of the world. Thank you very much.
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