Willard Hotel, Washington DC, April 30, 2014 I am happy to be here to speak to you today. I am going to be very direct.
The relationship between the United States and Azerbaijan is very important and strong, but it is not trouble - free. I will talk about why the relationship is important as well as the issues we have, principally in the democracy area. Events in Ukraine demonstrate the importance of the relationship. Ukraine is a game-changer. Azerbaijan and the United States have to work hard to strengthen and protect the relationship.
Who other than the United States and Europe will speak up strongly for the sovereignty and independence of Azerbaijan?
The Ukraine situation also demonstrates the importance of resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. This conflict creates instability in the region that should not be taken advantage of by any party. The presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia need to work together to take concrete steps to resolve the conflict. It will also be tremendously difficult to accomplish resolution without the full cooperation of Russia. We will see whether that will be forthcoming. We also support Track II efforts to build people to people contacts between Azerbaijanis and Armenians. These kinds of confidence building measures can help prepare citizens of both countries for peace. We are troubled by last week’s arrest of well - known journalist Rauf Mirkadirov and the investigation begun on Monday of Leyla Yunus and her husband, Arif Yunusov. Leyla has been released after hours of questioning, but both are still under investigation. All three have been strong proponents of the Track II process and the Azerbaijani Government’s actions will have a chilling effect on any contact between Azerbaijanis and Armenians. We think this is a mistake.
At the same time, we need to recognize that Azerbaijan has taken a courageous, independent course over the past 20 years, and in many ways it has been to the benefit of the United States. Azerbaijan has taken this course despite being in a very difficult eighborhood. Azerbaijan has and continues to cooperate tremendously on Afghanistan, by having sent troops there, allowing transit of non-lethal goods and equipment through Baku, and committing to assist the development of Afghanistan after the 2014 troop withdrawals.
Richard Morningstar
U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan
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