Azernews.Az

Republican Senator Sam Brownback has suggested holding talks with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in the United States.
"I am inviting President Aliyev to Washington. A need has arisen to broadly discuss issues with him at the Capitol," the lawmaker told Radio Liberty.
He said that apart from energy, economic issues and work to be done for full repeal of Section 907 to the Freedom Support Act which bans direct US assistance to the Azerbaijani government, the policies pursued in the Caspian region and situation in the region were among issues to be tabled with the Azerbaijani leader.
Brownback said tension with Iran was another important issue for the US government. "America and Iran are currently facing certain challenges. In my opinion, we should further expand our cooperation with Azerbaijan, which plays a key role in the region."
Western countries suspect Iran is trying to build a nuclear weapon, but Tehran insists its nuclear program is for civil use only.
Brownback said the United States did not separate energy and democracy in its cooperation with Azerbaijan, and at times a need merely arises to give a boost to the development of certain fields. Nonetheless, economic development should be in concert with progress in the areas of democracy and human rights, he said.
"A considerable increase in investments and overall growth has been observed in Azerbaijan in the past 10 years. But despite all this, our focus and interest in democratic development and human rights in the country is still strong," Brownback said.
He noted that Washington would step up effort to achieve the conduct of free and fair presidential elections in the country this year.
"This democracy test is in the hands of the authorities. I believe Azerbaijan has everything needed to pass it, and this is just a matter of choice," the lawmaker said.
He emphasized that the opportunities of local media and favorable conditions for the participation of various candidates were pivotal to ensure a free vote.
In a meeting with Brownback last Wednesday, President Aliyev said the relations between Azerbaijan and the United States were rapidly expanding in all fields. He said efficient energy cooperation, which was established in mid-1990s, was being continued successfully, noting that this was an important element of bilateral relations.
Brownback welcomed ongoing development in Azerbaijan, stressing the remarkable achievements made in the country over the past few years.
Brownback is known for his pro-Azerbaijan position. He is the author of the 1999 Silk Road Strategy Act which envisions support for rehabilitation of the historical Silk Road going through Azerbaijan.
After the September 11, 2001 terror attacks, the US lawmaker had drafted a law which empowered the US president to suspend Section 907. The bill was submitted to the Senate in October 2001. President George Bush approved the suspension since 2002 and the decision remained in force in the following five years.