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U.S. - AZERBAIJANI RELATIONS
Voice of America
March 1 2010
The U.S. is committed to efforts to enhance regional security in
the Caucasus.
"The United States is a strong friend of Azerbaijan and is committed
to working together with the Azerbaijani government and its people to
support the development of a secure, prosperous, and democratic state,"
said U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs William Burns.
Speaking to the Azerbaijan Diplomatic Academy in Baku, on February 19,
Under Secretary Burns noted that "the spreading dangers of weapons
of mass destruction; new and more malignant forms of terrorism;
unresolved regional and sectarian conflicts; failed and failing states;
global economic dislocation; and transnational health, energy, and
environmental concerns ... are not aberrations, but a new reality in
the 21st century."
To meet these challenges, the U.S. wants closer ties and broader
cooperation with Azerbaijan. Mr. Burns told Azerbaijan's future
diplomats that the U.S. values its bilateral relationship with their
country and deeply appreciates Azerbaijan's support with regard to
the international efforts in Afghanistan, counterterrorism, and other
important elements of regional and global security.
"Our history of shared relationships with Azerbaijan is a long
and fruitful one on many fronts, with the notable success of the
Baku-Tbilisi pipeline as only one example of that cooperative and
collaborative work," said Under Secretary Burns.
Energy security is not a zero sum game. "It is our firm belief," Under
Secretary Burns noted in reference to Russian energy policies, "that
we can gain more by working together than against one another. Greater
interconnectivity maximizes diverse sources and routes, ensures better
market pricing, and protects against supply disruptions, for the good
of all countries."
Mr. Burns said the U.S. is committed to efforts to enhance regional
security in the Caucasus. "Working together with Russia and France
as OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs, we are engaged at the highest level in
trying to find a stable and durable resolution to the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict on the basis of the Helsinki principles of territorial
integrity, self-determination and non-use of force or the threat of
force," he said. "Peace, stability and tolerance can only benefit
all the people in the Caucasus region."
The U.S. also believes that the strengthening of democratic
institutions, rule of law and respect for human rights will have a
positive effect on the future of Azerbaijan and the region and the
U.S. supports efforts to further these goals. Under Secretary Burns
said that a "strong and dynamic partnership between our two nations
is important as we face a range of global challenges which neither
of us can tackle alone."
Voice of America
March 1 2010
The U.S. is committed to efforts to enhance regional security in
the Caucasus.
"The United States is a strong friend of Azerbaijan and is committed
to working together with the Azerbaijani government and its people to
support the development of a secure, prosperous, and democratic state,"
said U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs William Burns.
Speaking to the Azerbaijan Diplomatic Academy in Baku, on February 19,
Under Secretary Burns noted that "the spreading dangers of weapons
of mass destruction; new and more malignant forms of terrorism;
unresolved regional and sectarian conflicts; failed and failing states;
global economic dislocation; and transnational health, energy, and
environmental concerns ... are not aberrations, but a new reality in
the 21st century."
To meet these challenges, the U.S. wants closer ties and broader
cooperation with Azerbaijan. Mr. Burns told Azerbaijan's future
diplomats that the U.S. values its bilateral relationship with their
country and deeply appreciates Azerbaijan's support with regard to
the international efforts in Afghanistan, counterterrorism, and other
important elements of regional and global security.
"Our history of shared relationships with Azerbaijan is a long
and fruitful one on many fronts, with the notable success of the
Baku-Tbilisi pipeline as only one example of that cooperative and
collaborative work," said Under Secretary Burns.
Energy security is not a zero sum game. "It is our firm belief," Under
Secretary Burns noted in reference to Russian energy policies, "that
we can gain more by working together than against one another. Greater
interconnectivity maximizes diverse sources and routes, ensures better
market pricing, and protects against supply disruptions, for the good
of all countries."
Mr. Burns said the U.S. is committed to efforts to enhance regional
security in the Caucasus. "Working together with Russia and France
as OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs, we are engaged at the highest level in
trying to find a stable and durable resolution to the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict on the basis of the Helsinki principles of territorial
integrity, self-determination and non-use of force or the threat of
force," he said. "Peace, stability and tolerance can only benefit
all the people in the Caucasus region."
The U.S. also believes that the strengthening of democratic
institutions, rule of law and respect for human rights will have a
positive effect on the future of Azerbaijan and the region and the
U.S. supports efforts to further these goals. Under Secretary Burns
said that a "strong and dynamic partnership between our two nations
is important as we face a range of global challenges which neither
of us can tackle alone."