POLITICS
US Air Force Academy hosts meeting on US-Azerbaijan relations
Washington, April 24 (AZERTAC). Azerbaijani ambassador in Washington Elin Suleymanov has visited the United States Air Force Academy which hosted a meeting on relations between the two countries.
The ambassador made a report in front of the academy`s students.
Mr. Suleymanov then met with Superintendent of the United States Air Force Academy, Lieutenant General Michelle Johnson and other high ranking officers.
The ambassador spoke of the Azerbaijan-US military cooperation, and stressed Azerbaijan’s regional and transregional importance.
Michelle Johnson lauded Azerbaijan`s support for its partners and allies.
Highlighting Azerbaijan`s favourable geographical location and transit opportunities, Ms. Johnson noted the energy projects implemented by the country would increase Azerbaijan’s transit importance.
She also recalled her visit to Azerbaijan a few years ago, praising rapid development processes in Baku.
Ambassador Suleymanov spoke of the Azerbaijan-US military cooperation, saying it started to develop after the September 11 events as the country actively joined the global anti-terror war.
The ambassador noted that Azerbaijan was one of first countries to open its air space for using it as transit.
Mr. Suleymanov said 40 per cent of the food provisions supplied to the U.S. armed forces in Afghanistan were transported through Azerbaijan.
The ambassador also highlighted the country’s role in ensuring Europe’s energy security.
On the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Mr. Suleymanov noted that Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity was violated as 20 per cent of the country’s lands were occupied by Armenia.
Saying that the U.S. is the Co-Chair at the OSCE Minsk Group, the Ambassador noted the importance of Washington’s support of countries` independence and territorial integrity.
