Obama says Azerbaijan, U.S. enjoy strong security cooperation
By Nazrin Gadimova
U.S President Barack Obama sent a letter of congratulation to
his Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev on May 22.
"On behalf of the U.S people and myself, I express you and the
Azerbaijani people my best wishes on the occasion of Republic Day,"
the letter says.
"We join the Azerbaijani people, celebrating the historical holiday
on the occasion of declaring May 28, 1918 as independence of the
first secular and democratic country in the Muslim world - the
Republic of Azerbaijan," Obama said in his letter.
The U.S. president further stressed that the two countries have
strong security cooperation.
"We appreciate Azerbaijan's participation in the NATO mission in
Afghanistan. The two countries have recently established close
partnership in the energy sector. We appreciate the signing of the
final investment decision as part of the Southern Gas Corridor in
December 2013. We urge Azerbaijan to assume a leading role in
protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms. We are also ready
to assist Azerbaijan in achieving progress in the peaceful
settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. This will
significantly contribute to stronger, stable and independent
Azerbaijan we want it to be.
"I once again congratulate the Azerbaijani people, having rich
culture and history, on the national holiday," the U.S. president
said in his letter.
Azerbaijan will celebrate Republic Day on May 28, the 96th anniversary of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, which is an historic date marking the establishment of the first secular democratic state of the Islamic world.
During the 23-month-long activity, the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic managed to achieve great success and even during the 70-year Soviet period the Azerbaijani nation was able to preserve its national and spiritual values.