On 2 January, President of Azerbaijan Republic Ilham Aliyev received ambassador of the United States of America to Azerbaijan Reno Harnish.

Expressing his gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev for receiving him on the first working day of the New Year, the Ambassador once again extended his condolences on passing of the national leader of Azerbaijani people Heydar Aliyev, noting that he, as millions, was also deeply grieved. The United States always deemed Heydar Aliyev as its friend and as a sign of respect to his personality, a US special delegation comprising Special Representative of the US President Brent Scowcroft, Assistant Secretary of State Elizabeth Jones, Senator Brownback has come to Azerbaijan to participate at the funeral ceremony.

Noting that the US chiefs of European missions will gather in its annual meeting in Washington and he will make a report related to Azerbaijan, Ambassador Reno Harnish said he wished to meet President Ilham Aliyev, have exchange of views on numerous aspects of the bilateral relations, get recommendations on definition of the future points in strengthening of the US-Azerbaijan strategic partnership. The diplomat stressed that last years the friendship and cooperation relations between Azerbaijan and the United States of America in all fields, in particular, in development and delivery of the energy resources to the world market, combat against international terrorism, security and strengthening of the Country’s borders, have developed and reached strategic partnership level. Just under the wise policy of President Heydar Aliyev, construction of the US-supported Baku-Tbilsii-Ceyhan MEP is successfully being realized.

In 2004, implementation of intensive cooperation program is envisioned in the US-Azerbaijan relations and aiming at developing and boosting cooperation in the economic, political, military and other fields a large US delegation is coming to Azerbaijan shortly, the Ambassador underlined.

The American diplomat noted that aiming at developing and strengthening of the strategic partnership between the United States and Azerbaijan, support the government of Azerbaijan, President George Bush through the Secretary of State has sent to the Congress a message on waive of the 907 Section to the “Freedom Support Act” for another year.

President Ilham Aliyev, expressing his gratitude to the Ambassador for condolence, said that decease of President Heydar Aliyev is a heavy loss for the entire Azerbaijan. Head of the Azerbaijani state stressed the necessity of continuation of the course in the US-Azerbaijan relations determined by Heydar Aliyev.

Noting that the all-faceted friendly and cooperation relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and US hold a special place in the foreign policy of Azerbaijan and that he attaches great significance to these relations, President Ilham Aliyev said these ties, indeed, have great success. President Ilham Aliyev said: “As on the political plane, in the economic and energy sphere, our cooperation in the military sphere is also successful. Supported by the United States, the large-scale projects with the regional and world importance are being realized. Azerbaijan in the same coalition combats against international terrorism, takes part in ensuring peace and security in the world. I am confident that the relations reaching strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and US will successfully develop and acquire larger extent. This policy has been pursued since 1993 by Heydar Aliyev and will be continued in the years ahead”.