Baku. Rashad Suleymanov – APA. The forum entitled “Azerbaijan-US: Vision of the future” in Baku is being continued with plenary sessions, APA reports. Addressing the forum, the first vice-speaker of the Azerbaijani Parliament Ziyafat Asgarov focused attention on the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. The vice-speaker expressed his confidence that the number of the US states recognizing Khojaly genocide will increase with the support of the congressmen attending the forum.
Former US senator Richard Lugar said that Azerbaijan and the US have close cooperation on energy security and a number of important projects have been implemented within the joint cooperation.
Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov spoke about Azerbaijan-US relations. Stating that the cooperation between the two countries is of strategic importance, the minister noted today, the cooperation is not restricted to economic projects: “Azerbaijan is acting together with the US in international counterterrorism. Our country has joined the Partnership for Peace (PfP) programme of NATO. Azerbaijani servicemen participated in the peacemaking operations in Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan.”
The Minister said that the Nagorno Karabakh conflict hinders the economic development of both Azerbaijan and the entire region: “Azerbaijan is becoming a prosperous country. Armenian may also benefit from it. The fact of occupation impedes the development of Armenia.”
Following this, the US congressmen made speeches. Congressman Ted Poe highly assessed the participation of Azerbaijan in the peacekeeping operations in Afghanistan. He underlined that energy security is the issue of national security for every country, including Azerbaijan: “Russia stopped gas supply to Ukraine in winter. Its result is clear.”
Former Secretary of the U.S. Department of Energy Bill Richardson said the cooperation between the countries is not restricted to energy.
“There exist strategic relations. Azerbaijan as a member of the UN Security Council plays an important role in combating terrorism, smuggling of drugs and arms, imposing sanctions against Iran,” he said.
Ambassador Richard Morningstar noted that representatives from 42 states of the US are attending the forum.
“The US vision of Azerbaijan is clear. We want Azerbaijan to be a sovereign state,” he said.
Congressman Gregory W. Meeks congratulated Azerbaijan on May 28 – Republic Day. He said stronger future will be achieved, if all investments are focused on education, social spheres, not on arming.
“Azerbaijan invests in this – young generation. We will see its results as years pass. Azerbaijan is a country promoting peace and stability,” he said.
Congressman from Oklahoma Jim Bridenstine said the state he is representing has close cooperation with Azerbaijan. Oklahoma National Guard is cooperating with the relevant bodies of Azerbaijan.
Former commander of the U.S. Transportation Command, General Duncan McNabb mentioned that Azerbaijan closely participated in the US operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. General underlined that Azerbaijan opened its airspace for the US transport aircrafts.
The Forum is being continued in panel discussions.
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