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Top official: Azerbaijan looks forward to bright partnership with U.S., long into the future

20 November 2017 [10:00] - TODAY.AZ

By  Trend


Azerbaijan looks forward to a bright partnership with the United States, long into the future, Novruz Mammadov, the assistant to the president of Azerbaijan for foreign policy, said in his article published on the Washington Times on November 19.

Mammadov reminded that Azerbaijan has long been a partner of the United States.

“In the 26 years since we gained our independence, Azerbaijan has sought friendly relations with the United States,” he wrote. “Our relationship has continued - and indeed strengthened - over the years; guided by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and the American administrations of the 2000s.”

Mammadov noted that the backbone of the bilateral relations has been fortified around several key areas of mutual benefit and respect.

Azerbaijan has been a significant partner in the American-led efforts to eradicate terrorism from the world, he said.

“Azerbaijan is also among the chief financial contributors to NATO’s Trust Fund for Afghanistan, and the country’s peacekeeping contingent has provided boots-on-the-ground support to NATO-led missions in Afghanistan for more than a decade. As the Trump administration prepares its final push to purge al Qaeda from Afghanistan, Azerbaijan stands alongside both the United States and Afghanistan,” he said.

Mammadov emphasized that Azerbaijan is a vital partner in the global oil and gas market, having emerged as a major player after the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) oil and Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum (BTE) gas pipelines came online in 2006 and 2007, respectively.

“Today, Azerbaijan’s oil and gas exports play a critical role in Western energy security. Not only does Azerbaijani oil flow to our shared European allies, it reaches refineries as far West as Philadelphia. We appreciate the support of the United States for the Southern Gas Corridor, which, when it comes online, will ensure a long-term natural gas supply to our shared European & NATO partners,” he said.

Mammadov added that Azerbaijan conducts foreign policy with predictable and trustworthy pragmatism. “It has made us a standout partner for the United States as it pursues its own policy in - and cooperation with — the region. Our country is continually progressing toward modernization and consolidating its strong partnership with the United States,” he said.

The top official noted that Azerbaijan’s favorable position at the crossroads of the East-West allows the country to facilitate international and regional transportation and trade.

The top official further highlighted the tolerance traditions in Azerbaijan.

“With the establishment of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic in 1918, Azerbaijan has emerged as a bold protector of democratic values, including secularism and voting rights for women in the region. Our country stands ready to defend the common values and interests shared between Azerbaijan and the United States and looks forward to a bright partnership, long into the future,” he said.

URL: http://www.today.az/news/politics/166957.html

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