U.S. Department of Defense official to trip to Azerbaijan

Official of the U.S. Department of Defense Celeste Wallander, who is responsible for the policy of security cooperation in the region, will hold meetings with the senior officials of Azerbaijani government.

Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Russia/Ukraine/Eurasia Celeste Wallander will discuss security cooperation between the United States and Azerbaijan and study the fields to improve relations.

“Azerbaijan known as a modern, secular state the majority of the population of which is Muslim is the main ally in the struggle against violent extremism,” Celeste Wallander said.

She noted that Azerbaijan had contributed to the efforts of NATO and coalition in Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan, supported the efforts to reprovide the united and coalition forces in Afghanistan and Iraq.

“The United States strongly supports Azerbaijan’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. I hope I will have an opportunity to meet with Azerbaijani leadership to discuss the important issues and proposals of mutual interest to improve our strategic partnership,” she said.

Celeste Wallander is currently serving in the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Policy as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Russia/Ukraine/Eurasia.

Previously, she served as a visiting professor at Georgetown University (2006-2008), Director and Senior Fellow of the Russia and Eurasia Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (2001-2006), Senior Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington, D.C. (2000-2001), and professor of Government at Harvard University (1989-2000).

/APA/