POLITICS
US Embassy to Azerbaijan celebrates Independence Day
Baku, July 4 (AZERTAC). The U.S Embassy in Azerbaijan has organized an official reception to mark the country`s Independence Day.
The event brought together state and governmental officials, members of the Azerbaijani Parliament, foreign ambassadors and members of the general public.
Opening the event, ambassador Richard Morningstar provided an insight into the history of independence of the U.S. He said the Independence Day was a federal holiday in the United States symbolizing adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.
On Azerbaijani-U.S. relations, the diplomat said the two countries had achieved notable successes together. The ambassador said the U.S. supported Azerbaijan`s independence and sovereignty, adding the two countries enjoyed strong partnership.
Azerbaijani finance minister Samir Sharifov congratulated the event participants on behalf of President Ilham Aliyev and the Azerbaijani government.
The minister highlighted Azerbaijan-U.S. ties, stating that Azerbaijan attached great importance to its relationship with the USA.
He praised the bilateral relations in the political, economic and humanitarian fields. The minister lauded the role of national leader Heydar Aliyev in developing the relations between the two countries to today`s level. Sharifov said successful foreign policy carried out by President Ilham Aliyev contributed to further expanding these ties, as well as to developing democracy, strengthening joint efforts in combating terrorism and deepening the cooperation in the fields of energy and security.
“An efficient legal base has been created for boosting bilateral bonds. The U.S. and Azerbaijan share common values as global and regional security, democratic reforms, respect for human rights and tolerance.”
Sharifov said the U.S. companies were involved in the projects initiated by Azerbaijan, adding the country played an important role in ensuring the energy security of Europe. “Azerbaijan will continue cooperation with the U.S. towards ensuring global energy security, stability in the region,” he added.
Touching upon the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the minister said Azerbaijan put trust in the US and had big expectations from Washington in settlement of the conflict as a co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group.