Azerbaijani MPs meet official of US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations

Members of the Azerbaijan Milli Majlis committee for security and defense met official of the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations Marik String on Aug. 13. Member of the committee Siyavush Novruzov briefed String on the workings of the Milli Majlis. Touching upon the Azerbaijan-US relationship, Novruzov said it had reached the level of strategic partnership.

According to Novruzov, the U.S. has good relations with other countries of the South Caucasus region. “But Azerbaijan faces more pressures, and this certainly arouses public discontent”, underlined Novruzov. The fact that the U.S. has not yet appointed ambassador to Azerbaijan, is evidence to this, he added.

According to Novruzov, Azerbaijan has repeatedly proved that it is a committed partner, adding the country actively participates in international peacekeeping and anti-terrorism operations. NATO and other international organizations highly appreciates Azerbaijan`s activities, he added.

Novruzov also spoke of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. He said the Azerbaijani territories occupied by Armenia are used for arms smuggling and training of terrorist groups. For his part, Marik String conveyed senator Richard Lugar`s greetings to the Azerbaijani parliamentarians.

String said Lugar supports development of US-Azerbaijan cooperation in security and other spheres, as well as expansion of energy transport corridors. He said Azerbaijan is a very reliable partner, and plays significant role in protection of security in the South Caucasus region and Caspian Sea as well as diversification of energy recourses.

He said “we also attach special importance to the fact that Azerbaijani soldiers actively participate in international peacekeeping operations”.

“The delay in the appointment of new US ambassador is just connected with the internal process. We hope that this issue will soon find its solution.”

The sides exchanged views on other issues of mutual interest.


/AzerTAc/