RECEPTION AT US EMBASSY
Ambassador Reno Harnish noted in his opening remarks that the freedom of speech, freedom of religion and belief in their inviolability had provided development of the United States. Fight for democracy, tolerance, and protection of everyone’s rights, according to him, is the foundation of strategic cooperation and friendship between the United States of America and Azerbaijan.
The American diplomat pointed out as well that American and Azerbaijani soldiers serve today shoulder-by-shoulder to protect these rights in Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq. He also mentioned the close links between the two countries in the framework of such international structures as UN, OSCE and NATO. The Ambassador ended his speech by “The banner once hoisted will never be lowered” in Azeri language.
Chairman of the Milli Majlis Murtuz Alasgarov congratulated the audience on behalf of President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and wished the American people peace and prosperity. He also announced that on behalf of the Azerbaijani people, President Ilham Aliyev had extended his congratulations and best wished to US President George Bush.
The speaker especially emphasized that the cooperation between the two countries established after Azerbaijan re-gained its state independence, and particularly developed due to the people’s nationwide leader Heydar Aliyev’s return to political power, now has entered the new stage of strategic partnership. Special impetus to US-Azerbaijan relationship was given, according to him, by the waiver of the section 907 of the Freedom Support Act. Mr. Alasgarov also pointed to expanding Interparliamentary relations between the United States and Azerbaijan. Touching upon the joint combating the international terrorism, he reminded of the Armenians-committed 32 terror acts killing over 2 thousand people. In this context, the head of the Milli Majlis stressed the importance of the meeting of two countries’ Presidents during the recent NATO summit in Istanbul.
Present at the reception were deputies of the Milli Majlis Chairman, parliamentarians, heads of diplomatic missions in Baku and representatives of the public.
Other news in this section
