Conference on ‘Strategic Cooperation between U.S. and Azerbaijan: New Bilateral and Regional Criteria’ held in Washington

The Azerbaijani embassy in the United States together with the Center for Eurasia, Russia and Eastern Europe Studies at Georgetown University sponsored a conference on "Strategic Cooperation between U.S. and Azerbaijan: New Bilateral and Regional Criteria" in Washington later last week.

Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Araz Azimov, former U.S. Undersecretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor and fellow of the German Marshall Fund David Kramer delivered a keynote speech.

Deputy Secretary of State for Political Affairs William Burns and professor at Georgetown University former senator Chuck Hagel also made speeches.

In his opening speech, Azerbaijan ambassador to the United States Yashar Aliyev said traditional conference organized at the beginning of a new political season in Washington creates conditions to draw attention of American political circles to the dynamic realities of Azerbaijan and the region surrounding us.

In his report, Deputy Secretary of State for Political Affairs William Burns outlined three main priorities in U.S. relations with Azerbaijan:

1) cooperation in energy and economy, 2) security and joint fight against international terrorism, and 3) democracy and human rights. Mr. Burns stressed that the U.S. is interested in stability and dynamic development of Azerbaijan and the entire Caucasus region.

Concerning the role of the OSCE Minsk Group, Burns noted that the U.S. understands concerns of Azerbaijan in connection with unresolved Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and its consequences for security throughout the region. He reiterated the U.S. commitment of President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to peaceful resolution of conflict.

Speaking further former U.S. Undersecretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor and fellow of the German Marshall Fund David Kramer noted the strategic importance of Azerbaijan in the Caucasus region. In particular, Kramer noted that the U.S.democratic administration and the Pentagon appreciates Russia's initiative for joint use of Gabala radar station for missile defense.

In his speech, Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Araz Azimov said Azerbaijan this year marked 90 anniversary of its diplomatic corps. As many as 90 years ago Azerbaijani people laid foundations of the first democratic and secular state in the Middle East, elected the first multi-confessional and multi-ethnic parliament, and was the first to give right to vote to women.

Mr. Azimov said to resolve the conflict both sides need to move away from the extremes and move towards a compromise. For Azerbaijan the extreme position is the complete subordination of Karabakh to Azerbaijan without any administrative autonomy, and for Armenia extreme position is the so-called independence of Nagorno-Karabakh. Azerbaijan has already made a step toward compromise moving away from the extreme language and expressing readiness to ensure the highest form of self-government for the Karabakh Armenians.

Azimov said, unfortunately, the Armenian leadership has not shown the political will away from its extreme position for a peaceful solution through negotiations.

A final speech at the conference was made by a former Senator, a Professor at Georgetown University Chuck Hagel. Mr. Hagel emphasized the role of Azerbaijan as a strategic U.S. ally in the region, as in the production and transportation of energy resources, and in the joint fight against international terrorism.

/Day.Az/