Azernews.Az

By Sara Rajabova

Washington D.C. hosted a U.S.-Azerbaijan Convention titled 'Vision for Future' on April 29-30.

The four sessions held in the framework of the forum covered a wide range of cooperation issues between the U.S. and Azerbaijan.

Politicians, scientists, and public and religious figures from both countries took part in the event.

Chairman of the international and inter-parliamentary relations Committee at the Azerbaijani Parliament Samad Seyidov, members of the working group on Azerbaijan-U.S. inter-parliamentary relations, MPs Asim Mollazade, Sevinj Fataliyeva, SOCAR Head Rovnag Abdullayev, SOCAR Vice-Presidents Elshad Nasirov and Khalik Mammadov, officials from the Azerbaijani Presidential Administration, and many others attended the forum.

The Azerbaijani delegation also included head of the Caucasian Muslims Office (CMO), Sheikhulislam Allahshukur Pashazade and heads of the confessions in Azerbaijan, including orthodox community's head Archbishop Alexander Ischein, head of mountain Jews religious community MilikhYevdayev, and coordinator of the catholic community Vladimir Fekete.

Addressing to the forum, Seyidov and Mollazade informed the audience of the history of the U.S.-Azerbaijan relations, highlighting the successful cooperation between the two countries.

Congressmen from Wyoming, Utah, New Mexico, Texas, Arkansas, North Dakota, South Dakota, Indiana, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, and Tennessee presented a number of resolutions on U.S.-Azerbaijan partnership to Seyidov.

Arkansas Congressman Jonathan Barnett pointed to Azerbaijan's economic achievements, saying that the country's leadership is trying to improve the welfare of its citizens, as well as that of other countries in the region.

Former Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour described Azerbaijan's role as an energy supplier to Europe, stressing that Azerbaijan is a blessing for Europe that is impatiently waiting for the first gas supply from this country.

Barbour also highlighted the forum's role in enlightening the American public about the importance of religious tolerance in Azerbaijan, as well as the latter's importance for the U.S.

Speaking at the session tittled "Eurasian Energy Corridor and Energy Security: Azerbaijan's Strategic Role", SOCAR vice-president Nasirov highlighted the strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and the U.S. and praised bilateral energy cooperation.

Senator Charles Schumer hailed Azerbaijan`s role in energy cooperation and security.

Also, former Congressman Dan Burton stressed the role of SOCAR in ensuring Europe`s energy security.

Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Diplomacy Amos Hochstein said the U.S. was committed to ensuring energy and national security in Europe.

Pointing to the implementation of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline, Hochstein said thanks to the efforts of the Azerbaijani government and SOCAR and the support of the U.S., another breakthrough was made last December when the final investment decision was signed.

Hochstein thanked Azerbaijan for its "close partnership", expressing confidence that bilateral cooperation would continue.

Speaking at the forum, U.S. ambassador to Azerbaijan Richard Morningstar said bilateral relationship is very important and strong.

He stressed that Azerbaijan has taken a courageous, independent course over the past 20 years, and has benefited the United States in many ways.

"Azerbaijan has taken this course despite being in a very difficult neighborhood. Azerbaijan has and continues to cooperate tremendously on Afghanistan, by having sent troops there, allowing the transit of non-lethal goods and equipment through Baku, and committing itself to the development of Afghanistan after the troop withdrawals in 2014," Morningstar said.

He went on to add that Azerbaijan has supported U.S. position in the Security Council and UN General Assembly.

"Azerbaijan is one of the few post-Soviet states to vote for the resolution on Ukraine's territorial integrity. For 20 years, Azerbaijan has undertaken an independent policy in the production and supply of its natural resources. Our cooperation and partnership continues to be huge in this area," Morningstar stressed.

He also noted that the two countries have strong cooperation in the area of counter-terrorism, working closely to protect energy infrastructure. "I started going to Azerbaijan 19 years ago, and the progress is huge. Baku is very different from what it was then," Morningstar added.

Touching upon the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Morningstar said the Ukraine situation demonstrates the importance of resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

He said the events in Ukraine highlight the importance of Azerbaijan- U.S. relationship, stressing that the two countries have to work hard to strengthen and protect this relationship.

Morningstar further said the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is creating regional instability that should not be taken advantage of by any party.

"The Presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia need to work together and take concrete steps to resolve the conflict. It will also be tremendously difficult to accomplish any resolution without Russia's full cooperation. We will see whether that will be forthcoming," Morningstar stressed.

Delivering a speech at the forum, head of the Caucasian Muslims Office Pashazade said Muslim, Christian, and Jewish religious sites were destroyed in the Azerbaijan's occupied territories, which may increase the threat of religious confrontation.

Pashazade said joint cooperation between states, public, and religious structures could be effective in addressing the peace problems on global and local levels.

One of the unsolved problems of the Caucasus region is the Karabakh conflict, which Azerbaijan has faced more than 20 years ago - the occupation of 20 percent of Azerbaijan's territory by Armenian extremists and subjecting one million Azerbaijanis to ethnic cleansing, he said.

Noting that Azerbaijan is one of the rare examples of tolerance, Pashazade said national, racial, and religious differences among different ethnic and religious communities have never been allowed, and people belonging to different faiths have lived in peace and tranquility in Azerbaijan.

There is an atmosphere of brotherhood and fruitful cooperation among the heads of various religious confessions, he concluded.

Since Azerbaijan's emergence as an independent nation in 1991, the U.S.-Azerbaijan relationship has evolved into a strategic partnership based on mutual interests and common values.

At present, Azerbaijan-U.S. relations are developing rapidly.