Dan Barton: "Azerbaijan is one of the first countries supporting US fight against terrorism"

Member of Azerbaijan Friendship Group Dan Burton spoke about the achievements of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic in 1918-1920. He said that Azerbaijan Democratic Republic made important steps in the establishing the state and spheres of education and economy.

Congressman mentioned that Azerbaijan is the first democratic Muslim state in the world and said women got the right to vote a year before the US in 1919, APA reports.

Underlining the relations between official Baku and the US Congressman said that Azerbaijan is one of the first countries among Muslim and non-Muslim states supporting US fight against terrorism.

"Azerbaijan handed over its air space and airports to coalition forces during the operations in Afghanistan. Azerbaijani soldiers serve in international coalition forces in Kabul," he said.

Dan Burton said that official Baku is the first Muslim country supporting operations in Iraq and plays important role in regional cooperation in the framework of GUAM.

The other congressman, representative of Florida, Wexler noted that Azerbaijan plays important part in the energy supply of the West. He said both Bill Clinton and George Bush administrations supported the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan project.

"Azerbaijan's oil reached the Mediterranean Sea a year ago on May 28, 2006. Washington and Azerbaijan signed a memorandum of understanding on energy sphere in March. This memorandum contributed to the cooperation between the two countries and paved the way for broader dialogue on security in the Caspian region," he said.

Congressman from New York Peter King said Azerbaijan should be welcomed for being loyal to pro-western policy taking into account hard geopolitical situation of the region. The congressman said Azerbaijan adopted several legal and normative acts in order to integrate into global economic system.

Congressman from South Carolina Joe Wilson said May 28 – Republic Day is marked everywhere, from Bundestag to US Congress. He said Azerbaijani communities all over the world respect May 28 – Republic Day.

"For example, Azerbaijan Society of America in the east of America. Azerbaijani ambassador Yashar Aliyev plays great role in the relations between the two countries," he said.