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Baku hosts Azerbaijan-US Bilateral Defense Consultations

12 July 2010 11:15 (UTC +04:00)

During the meetings, representatives of the Pentagon and Azerbaijanâ€™s Ministry of Defense are reviewing the full range of bilateral cooperation and defining concrete plans for the coming year, press service of the US embassy in Azerbaijan told APA.

As Secretary of Defense Robert Gates said during his June 7 visit to Baku that the United States appreciates Azerbaijanâ€™s contributions to regional security, including collaboration in support of the allied efforts in Afghanistan. During the visit, he pointed to the Bilateral Defense Consultations as a mechanism for working out detailed plans for cooperation.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also talked about the security relationship during her July 4 visit: â€œOur soldiers have stood shoulder-to-shoulder in Kosovo, Iraq, and Afghanistan. And we deeply appreciate the commitment and sacrifice of the people and government, as we continue these important missions. Today the president and I discussed the ways that we can deepen that partnership.â€

Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Dr. Celeste Wallander is leading the U.S. delegation for the Bilateral Defense Consultations. She is joined by U.S. European Command and U.S. Embassy officials. The Bilateral Defense Consultations are held once a year, alternating between Baku and Washington, DC.