Washington seeks $9.5m for Azerbaijan`s military
The United States intends to allocate $9.5 million
this year for boosting the Azerbaijan military as well as for
measures to further protect the country`s borders.
The US government`s letter forwarded to Congress points out the need to increase financial assistance to the South Caucasus republic due to its extensive contribution to international anti-terror operations. It said Azerbaijani authorities, along with supporting international efforts in fighting terror, are actively cooperating with Washington.
As for arch-foe Armenia, the US government is seeking to reduce its aid by three times to $2.5 million. During discussions on the issue in Congress, some lawmakers accused the country of acting in opposition to US interests in recent years. Observers believe the Armenian lobby has increasingly lost its ability to influence US foreign policy. They also said the White House now considers Azerbaijan to be a closer strategic partner.
The Washington Times newspaper said that following the September 11 attacks, overt US involvement in the process of settling the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh is an inevitable geo-political condition. Washington is presently bound with the South Caucasus region not only due to its economic interests. This region`s geographic proximity to the countries where anti-terror operations are underway is prompting the US to be more unequivocal and resolute in its foreign policy decisions.
The US government`s letter forwarded to Congress points out the need to increase financial assistance to the South Caucasus republic due to its extensive contribution to international anti-terror operations. It said Azerbaijani authorities, along with supporting international efforts in fighting terror, are actively cooperating with Washington.
As for arch-foe Armenia, the US government is seeking to reduce its aid by three times to $2.5 million. During discussions on the issue in Congress, some lawmakers accused the country of acting in opposition to US interests in recent years. Observers believe the Armenian lobby has increasingly lost its ability to influence US foreign policy. They also said the White House now considers Azerbaijan to be a closer strategic partner.
The Washington Times newspaper said that following the September 11 attacks, overt US involvement in the process of settling the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh is an inevitable geo-political condition. Washington is presently bound with the South Caucasus region not only due to its economic interests. This region`s geographic proximity to the countries where anti-terror operations are underway is prompting the US to be more unequivocal and resolute in its foreign policy decisions.
Here we are to serve you with news right now. It does not cost much, but worth your attention.
Choose to support open, independent, quality journalism and subscribe on a monthly basis.
By subscribing to our online newspaper, you can have full digital access to all news, analysis, and much more.
Subscribe
You can also follow AzerNEWS on Twitter @AzerNewsAz or Facebook @AzerNewsNewspaper
Thank you!