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United States welcomes the development of modern economy that serves the interests of citizens in Azerbaijan, U.S. Deputy Secretary

19 April 2012 00:31 (UTC +04:00)

Washington-APA. On April 18, the 3rd session of Azerbaijan-US intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation started in Washington.
Delegation headed by Minister of Finance Samir Sharifov represented Azerbaijan at a as co-chair and U.S. Deputy Secretary of State for Economic Development, Energy and Environment Robert Hormats represented United States at the session.

Current status of relations between two countries in various fields and perspectives of cooperation were discussed at the meeting.

Opening the meeting, American co-chair Robert Hormats noted that the U.S. is interested in developing relations with Azerbaijan and further deepening friendly relations between two countries.
R. Gormats noting that activity of the commission serves development of bilateral relation also speak about recent economic indicators of Azerbaijan.

Deputy Secretary of State stressed that reforms on initiative of President Ilham Aliyev created opportunities for achievement of economic successes.
â€œEconomic achievements of Azerbaijan reflected in the records of the World Bank in 2011 and appreciated by its experts. United States welcomes the development of modern economy that serves the interests of citizens in Azerbaijan. Two countries should expand cooperation not only in the energy sector, but also to meet the common interests in non-oil areas. At the same time, favorable geographical position of Azerbaijan further enhances the value of the country as an international transport corridor ", said Robert Hormats.

Azerbaijani Co-Chairman Samir Sharifov said that relations between Azerbaijan and the United States have reached a level of strategic partnership.
â€œPresident Ilham Aliyev instructed the members of the Intergovernmental Commission to intensify efforts to expand the current relations between the U.S. and Azerbaijanâ€, said Samir Sharifov, Minister of Finance of Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijani minister underlined that "Section 907" of the U.S. adopted in October 1992 in the "Freedom Support Act", is still in force and the time has come to repeal the amendment.
"Azerbaijan is strategic partner of the United States, and that "Section 907" is still in force and this is inadequate to the relations between two countries," said S. Sharifov

Samir Sharifov noted that the U.S. must also cancel discriminatory and outdated requirements of Jackson-Vanik in the field of security and energy, stressing that the amendment applies to some countries and not to others that cause some issues.

Co-chairman of the Azerbaijani commission emphasized importance raising issue before Congress and to cancel the amendment.

The parties also noted that there had been significant progress in the areas of political and economic cooperation and high level visits were paid between two countries.