Azernews.Az

BAKU - Azerbaijan plays an important role in the South Caucasus region, particularly in ensuring the security of the Caspian Sea and diversifying energy resources, a US Senate official visiting Baku has said.

Marik Frens-String, a Senate Foreign Relations Committee representative, said in a meeting with lawmakers in the Azerbaijani parliament Friday that the contribution of Azerbaijan’s armed forces to international peacekeeping operations was of special importance for the United States.

Siyavush Novruzov, a member of the Milli Majlis committee on security and defense, said relations between Azerbaijan and the U.S. have reached the level of strategic partnership.

"The U.S. maintains good relations with other South Caucasus states as well. But Azerbaijan faces more pressure, which causes fair discontent among the country’s public. The fact that the U.S. has not appointed an ambassador to our country for a year is proof of that."

Frens-String conveyed greetings to Azerbaijani parliament members from the co-chair of the Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Richard Lugar. He said Lugar supports developing cooperation with Baku in ensuring security, expanding the energy corridor and other fields.

"Azerbaijan is indeed a very reliable partner," Frens-String said. "Some issues, in particular, delays in appointing a US ambassador, are due to internal procedural regulations. We hope that this issue will find its solution soon."