US First Deputy Secretary of State: We understand Azerbaijan, other countries in region should have constructive relations with Russia

“Azerbaijan has an important role as an energy supplier and transit country in terms of diversification of the energy sources. We highly appreciate cooperation with Azerbaijan in this field”, US First Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg told journalists in Baku.

He said Azerbaijan played important role in the U.S. efforts towards diversification of the energy sources.

Regarding the possibility of U.S. financial support to Nabucco project and impact of the Azerbaijan-Russia gas deal on this project, Steinberg said the diversification policy didn’t exclude cooperation with Russia.

“We understand that Azerbaijan and other countries of the region should have constructive relations with Russia. There is no need for concerns about that. Regarding the U.S. participation in Nabucco, Ambassador Morningstar is deeply engaged in this issue. I think following the signing of agreement in Ankara, the work will be continued toward finding financial sources and solving other issues”.

/APA/