Ilham Aliyev Declares Allegiance to Strategic Partnership with the U.S.

Azerbaijan is an important country for the United States in the region and the strategic partnership between Baku and Washington will continue to grow.

This is the leitmotif of the participants, which opened on Wednesday in Heydar Aliyev's two-day US-Azerbaijani forum "Looking into the future." The forum involved a large delegation from the United States, representing 42 of the state. It includes current and former senators and congressmen, former high-ranking officials, including former ministers, well-known experts.

Opening remarks were delivered at the forum attended by President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev. He noted the high level of political relations and dialogue between the two countries. U.S. companies have invested heavily in the economy of Azerbaijan. In addition, the United States and Azerbaijan cooperate closely on global and regional security, counter-terrorism, energy sector. Transported through Azerbaijan is 40 percent of cargo for the international operation in Afghanistan.

The United States also play an important role in the settlement of the Karabakh conflict, as co-chair of OSCE Minsk Group.

Aliyev expressed hope that the conflict will be resolved within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group.

With regard to energy cooperation, Aliyev said Azerbaijan's active participation in the implementation of the "Southern Gas Corridor" is important for the energy security of Europe, which is supported and the United States. At the same time, Aliyev noted that energy cooperation with Azerbaijan in the U.S. now as important as it was in the early 1990s.

Aliyev also noted that cooperation with NATO and the EU is a priority policy of Azerbaijan. Aliyev stressed that in the years of his presidency, he has done a lot for the development of US-Azerbaijani relations, and this forum will determine future prospects for cooperation.

Around the same vein, also spoke Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov.

American participants talked about the importance of Azerbaijan for U.S. policy in the region, the contributions of Baku in issues of global security, and energy.

Congressman from New York Gregory Meeks said that a delegation of representatives from both the Republican and Democratic parties.

This is an indication that the positions of both parties in Azerbaijan are the same. He noted that the United States can serve as a model for democratic development. Mix in the opinion, it is better not to invest in arms, and in education and welfare of the population that will guarantee democracy and stability.

U.S. Ambassador Richard Morningstar, recalling the contribution of Azerbaijan in the international operations in Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan, said American support democratic reforms in Azerbaijan.

In his view, the implementation of democratic reforms Pulses is the stable development.

The forum discussion on the topic:

- "The U.S. - Azerbaijan Strategic Partnership: U.S. policy towards Azerbaijan"

- "Energy Security in the Caspian region and Europe: Changing Dynamics of the world's energy security: new opportunities for the Southern Energy Corridor"

- "Azerbaijan between East and West"

- "Eurasian security and cooperation: the role of Azerbaijan in regional peace and stability"

The final session will be devoted to the theme: "The strategic partnership between the U.S. and Azerbaijan: Next Steps."

Note that the American delegation has been in Baku since May 24 and the hospitable hosts organized a great cultural program, including watching the ballet Seven Beauties, visits to historical sites and banquets. -03C06-