Former US Ambassador to Azerbaijan: Section 907 is serious obstacle to expanding strategic partnership between U.S. and Azerbaijan

Ross Wilson, former US Ambassador to Turkey and Azerbaijan, who currently serves as a Director of Dinu Patriciu Eurasia Center at the Atlantic Council and a visiting lecturer at George Washington University believes that, Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act of 1992, which prohibits direct US government assistance to Azerbaijan, remains a serious obstacle to expanding the strategic partnership between two countries and is contrary to US national interest in the region.

Mr. Wilson delivered a speech on the “State of US-Azerbaijani relations in light of the countries’ growing interdependence”, at the event sponsored by The Washington Center for Azerbaijani Studies and The Center for Eurasian, Russian and East European Studies at the Georgetown Universities’ Intercultural Center on November 29, 2010.

According to Wilson, the US should assure Azerbaijan that it is willing to carry on bilateral relationship in all directions.

Mr. Wilson argued that, Azerbaijan - a reliable partner of US, has opened Caspian energy resources to development by US companies and has emerged as a key player for global energy security. The country also participated in operations in Kosovo and Iraq, as well as is actively engaged in Afghanistan, having recently doubled its military presence there:

“Against this backdrop, Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act of 1992 remains a serious obstacle”.

Mr. Wilson also mentioned that while Azerbaijan has made critical contribution to international security efforts, the country has security concerns closer to home:

“Key to long-term stability in the region is achieving a peaceful resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. We want to see Azerbaijan and Armenia living side-by-side in a peace that fosters mutual prosperity”.

Former Ambassador believes any contact and dialog among the parties is a good thing, so the more of that the better". He stressed that US should take serious steps on Nagorno-Karabakh adjustment process.


/APA/