US CONGRESSMEN CALL TO LIFT RESTRICTIONS AGAINST AZERBAIJAN
This week, some congressmen of the United States have called to repeal Washington’s two unfair bills against Azerbaijan.
Robert Wexler, a Democratic U.S. Congressman representing the state of Florida known as one of the «50 Most Effective Legislators in Congress», said in his interview to AZERTAC special correspondent that Section 907 to the Freedom Support Act that bans any assistance to Azerbaijan should be reviewed from the point of view «does it meet and enhance America’s national security interests».
Ranking republican at the Senate’s Foreign Relations Committee Richard Lugar has introduced legislation to repeal Jackson-Vanik restrictions on trade with Azerbaijan and establish permanent normal trade relations with the country.
He has said: «I rise today to introduce legislation designed to extend permanent normal trade relations to Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan is still subject to the provisions of the Jackson-Vanik amendment to the Trade Act of 1974, which sanctions nations for failure to comply with freedom of emigration requirements. This bill would repeal permanently the application of Jackson-Vanik to Azerbaijan.»
Lugar has stated that in the post-Cold War era, Azerbaijan allows its citizens the right and opportunity to emigrate and has demonstrated a commitment to meet these requirements.
«In addition, Azerbaijan has expressed a strong desire to abide by free market principles and good governance. Since 1992, Azerbaijan has been certified annually as meeting the Jackson-Vanik requirements. This legislation would make this trade relationship permanent and, in doing so, stimulate further market reforms and encourage its continued commitment to safeguarding individual liberties.
The congressman has touched upon Azerbaijan’s role in global energy security: «Earlier this month I traveled to Azerbaijan and met with President Aliyev and the first lady of Azerbaijan. We had an interesting discussion on the important role Azerbaijan is playing in energy recovery and transportation. It is a tribute to Azerbaijan that they are using their energy resources to the benefit of global security. Building pipelines and opening energy production to foreign markets requires difficult foreign policy decision-making. Azerbaijan is located in a tough neighborhood where countries are under tremendous pressure to keep their distance from the United States. I thanked President Aliyev for taking concrete steps to affirm his country’s strategic partnership with the United States.»
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