United States places importance on relationship with Azerbaijan: Under Secretary of State (UPDATE)

12:57

Text of Burn's speech was posted to a Web site of the Department of State.

“Azerbaijan is now on the threshold of a new and even more promising phase of energy sector development,” Burns said.

“The U.S. and Azerbaijan have a long partnership in major strategic energy projects that have created linkages between West and East.”

“The recent signing of the Nabucco Intergovernmental Agreement was a major milestone for opening up a new natural gas corridor to Europe. It is important that Turkey and Azerbaijan build on this momentum and soon reach an agreement on gas pricing, transit, and any remaining issues needed to make the Southern Corridor a reality,” he said.

“Such projects have not only unlocked Caspian energy resources for the world, but have also fueled Azerbaijan’s economy and secured a more independent economic future for the Azerbaijani people,” he added.

“We encourage ongoing discussions between Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Turkey, and other partners to find reliable, transparent ways to help this production reach European and other markets. And I assure you that the United States stands ready to keep working closely with Azerbaijan, our other friends in the region, and the private sector to strengthen and expand global energy supply.”

“While several major U.S. firms, such as Chevron and Exxon, operate in Azerbaijan’s energy industry, we’d frankly like to see more U.S. investment in the non-oil sectors. American companies can help Azerbaijan diversify its economy by bringing new technologies and skill sets,” he said.

“I’m confident that investment will flow as long as Azerbaijan continues its program of economic and democratic reform, which is the third pillar of our shared agenda.”
“Azerbaijan has already made significant strides in improving the country’s infrastructure and regulatory environment,” he noted.

“Joining the World Trade Organization – an aspiration that Azerbaijan has pursued and the U.S. strongly supports – promises to be one of the fastest ways for the country to seize the benefits of foreign markets and attract international investors,” he said.

11:17

"President and Secretary Clinton are committed to doing everything possible to support that goal. We want to see Azerbaijan and Armenia living side-by-side in a peace that fosters mutual prosperity," Burns said.

"Towards that end, we recently announced the appointment of Ambassador Bob Bradtke as the next U.S. co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group."

"We hope that the recent progress made in talks between Presidents Aliyev and Sargsian will lead to tangible results when they meet next month," he said.

Burns also touched upon the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations.

Burns mentioned the economic and political reforms ongoing in Azerbaijan.

"The U.S., as a strong and steady friend of Azerbaijan, is committed to working together with the Azerbaijani government and its people to support the development of a secure, prosperous, and democratic state," he added.

"As an active participant in NATO’s Partnership for Peace program, Azerbaijan is developing multifaceted security relationships with its neighbors in the region. It has made steadfast contributions to NATO and coalition efforts in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kosovo," Burns said.