Charge d"affairs of the U.S. Embassy to Baku visits Sumgait

Today, the Charge d'Affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Azerbaijan, Dereck Hogan, visited the city of Sumgait, 30 km from the capital, where he had a meeting with representatives of the local administration, civil society, and the U.S. Peace Corps volunteers.

At a meeting with Eldar Azizov, the head of the executive power, as well as representatives of NGOs, one of the main topics was the pre-election situation.

"The United States attached great interest to the process of presidential elections in Azerbaijan, which has been expressed by the Ambassador Richard Morningstar, immediately after the announcement of the election date, October 9.  Elections are not just limited to the voting day. We hope that the elections will be held in a democratic atmosphere," Hogan said in an interview with reporters.

In the U.S. Education Center in Sumgait he had a meeting with the alumni of educational exchange programs with the United States. The graduates spoke about their experiences and lessons which they try to put into practice.

Hogan also went to Sumgait Technology Park, where he familiarized himself with the industrial and economic potential of the city. --08C—