POLITICS
WASHINGTON HIGHLY ESTIMATES AZERBAIJAN’S PARTICIPATION IN ANTI-TERROR COALITION AND ITS INTEGRATION TO WEST
Visiting Azerbaijan, Richard Lugar, the US Senator for Indiana state met Monday with chairman of the Milli Majlis International and Inter-Parliamentary Relations Standing Committee.
Mr. Seyidov said Azerbaijan is keen on development of relations with the United States. He stressed that Azerbaijan and the United States have a good level of cooperation in all fields, including inter-parliamentary relations. “A working group on Azerbaijan-US Inter-parliamentary relations has been created under the leadership of Mehriban Aliyeva, member of the Parliament and President of Heydar Aliyev Foundation. Members of the Group have recently visited the United States and had useful meetings with their colleagues. Such mutual visits further strengthens our cooperation”, Chairman of the Committee said.
Samad Seyidov went on to say that notwithstanding it is located in very complicated region, Azerbaijan expands ties with the United States and integrates rapidly to the West.
“Protection of human rights and development of democracy are our basic goals. Azerbaijan has joined international conventions and brings its laws into line with European standards. Besides, international community highly appreciates practice of our country in religious tolerance. The Catholic Church will be opened in Baku in the near future”, Mr. Seyidov said.
Chairman of the Committee pointed out that Azerbaijan actively participates in combat against terror. According to his words, soldiers of Azerbaijan, which unanimously supports the United States in fighting terrorism, serve in Afghanistan, Iraq and Kosovo in composition of coalition forces.
Senator Lugar said his visit to Azerbaijan aims to hold discussions on development of relations between the two countries.
The Senator noted that Washington highly appreciates support by Azerbaijan to the United States in fighting terror and its participation in peacekeeping operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Speaking about Azerbaijan’s role in the region, its contribution to energy security, Mr. Lugar said that his country is keen on boosting relations with Azerbaijan.
