What is Azeri defense minister doing in the US?

These days Azerbaijan appears with two main topics that spark interest in Washington: Afghanistan transit and, perhaps not less important, upcoming presidential election, where the country"s current president is likely to face a more united opposition to his attempt to seek a third term in office.

The main concern that currently dominates the Afghanistan transit debate is to find the cheapest, most secure and reliable route. Many analysts and defense officials, however, frequently question how reliant the US have become on individual countries and regimes in the region...

In Azerbaijan, IlhamAliyev"s government has long been complaining of difficult relationship with the Obama administration;it wants to be constantly "appreciated" for the country"s status as a transit route, demanding to get invites for high-level visitors from Baku to Washington, and vice-versa...

With Washington"s increasing dependency on region to keep supply lines open to Afghan humming, the Pentagon is quick to take notice: it has invited defense minister Safar Abiyev to the States for a week-long trip, just few days after deputy assistant Secretary of Defense Evelyn Farkas returned from her Baku trip...

Announcements about Abiyev"s visit and the specific dates were made only shortly before the occasion and it was impossible to get an official comment on the details of it during the weekend.

In the meantime, speaking to TURAN"s Washington correspondent, several military analysts have connected the trip with the ongoing debate on Afghanistan withdrawal and Azerbaijan"s increasing role in it.

"The trip also will be an important chance to discuss bilateral relations and get a broader picture of the regional developments," a military source told TURAN.

From Washington"s point of view, the relationship with Baku is "not really bad" but can"t move forward as long as Azerbaijan is far from being a democracy.

Aliyev last week confirmed 2013 Working Plan on military cooperation between Baku and Washington. Both sides have recently participated in a joint military drill; A dozen Azerbaijani staff officers took part in a staff planning exercise in Bulgaria, according to the US European Command Marine Corp Forces.

"These type of exercises are a great opportunity for both the US and Azerbaijan to improve their operational and combat planning process," a source mentioned.

Baku, however, wants "more" from the military partners, such as lifting the 907 article; to be able to buy weapons from the US, a request that Washington has deflected in most cases.

One of the US Embassy cables that was released by Wikileaks in 2010, quoted Abiyev complaining that Washington "would not even sell basic ammunition to Azerbaijan, a country the US has labeled a strategic partner, forcing Azerbaijan to procure post-Soviet weaponry that is not NATO-interoperable."

Defense officials rejected to comment on specific details of Azerbaijan"s newly renewed bid, mentioning that Baku "never stopped" requesting arm trade from Washington and these efforts have recently intensified ahead of the country"s upcoming hosting of international defense industry exhibition - ADEX-2014.

The trip also will focus on Azerbaijan"s ending mission in Afghanistan along with ISAF combats at the end of 2013. The country has contributed troops for the ISAF since 2003.

It"s yet unclear what Abiyev will return withfrom Washington, however at a recent Helsinki Commission hearing on "Troubled partner" Azerbaijan, both administration and congressional officials have mentioned that the military cooperation shouldn"t affect Washington"s concerns regarding human rights and democracy.

"It"s true that Azerbaijan plays a significant role in advancing energy security for our friends and allies, and provides vital support as a transportation hub for the international security mission in Afghanistan. Thus, it is timely and important for us to take a sober look at recent Azerbaijani government actions, which raise concerns in advance of the October presidential election, and about democratic and civil society development more broadly. As a friend of Azerbaijan, the US supports the country"s long-term stability in a tough neighborhood," Thomas Melia, senior State Department official, mentioned during July 16 hearing.

"US officials consistently highlight the importance of greater respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms with Azerbaijani government officials at all levels in Baku and Washington," he emphasized.