Acting U.S. Ambassador refutes accusations against John Kerry

“The  basis of the US-Azerbaijani relations remains unchanged,” said  the acting  U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan. Dereck Hogan. to a request of Turan agency to comment on charges  by Azerbaijani officials criticizing the United States. "Our countries are cooperating in a number of important areas, including regional security, settlement of the Karabakh conflict, the fight against terrorism, economic development. We cooperate with Azerbaijan in the diversification of the economy. Another direction is the sphere of democracy,  and we will continue our work with the authorities and the public of Azerbaijan," said Hogan. In certain areas of bilateral relations can be differences of opinion. "In order to achieve progress in these areas it is necessary to work together, and we are ready to continue to work with Azerbaijan in this regard," said Hogan. He also refuted Azeri media reports about the  letter of the  U.S. Senators  in 1990to the Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev with a request to transfer Karabakh to Armenia.  The Azerbaijani press stated that such  a letter was signed  by the  current Secretary of State, John Kerry. "These allegations  in media are completely wrong and unfounded. The  U.S’s supports for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan is openly expressed for a long time. Our activity and participation as co-chair of the Minsk Group in the settlement, demonstrates the desire to resolve peacefully this protracted conflict," he said. Hogan also said that the new US ambassador, Robert Sekyuta, will arrive in Azerbaijan in the near future, without naming the exact date.-16D-