U.S. Department of State: Azerbaijan is a powerful force for maintaining peace and stability in Caucasus

Azerbaijan is a very important partner of the United States and a powerful force for maintaining peace and stability in the Caucasus, Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg said at a meeting with foreign journalists today.

The diplomat said, that several months ago in Munich, he had met with President Ilham Aliyev and during that meeting he stressed how much importance the U.S. attached to its relations with Azerbaijan. Subsequently, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has repeatedly talked with the Azerbaijani leader on the phone, he added.

"Azerbaijan is a very important partner of the United States. This is a powerful force for peace and security in the Caucasus," he said. "We are working very closely on a wide range of issues and strongly committed to the Minsk process".

The diplomat expressed his appreciation to Aliyev for his efforts in support of the OSCE Minsk Group.

"We know that these issues are difficult for all parties, and that we must find ways to overcome existing differences," Steinberg said. Washington convinced that "in the long run, greater integration in the Caucasus would serve the interests of the entire region."


/Trend News/