Azernews.Az

BAKU – Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on Thursday received a delegation headed by US Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg, the Azerbaijani president’s website said.

The parties exchanged views on various aspects of bilateral relations, energy cooperation, the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, as well as regional issues.

Steinberg told the press prior to the talks that "today’s meeting will be a continuation of meetings between the two presidents and between Secretary of State [Hillary Clinton] and President Ilham Aliyev".

Steinberg said he would discuss with President Aliyev ways of developing bilateral relations, the two countries’ strategic partnership and regional security issues. He said he would also thank Aliyev for Azerbaijan’s support to his country in its peacekeeping missions in Afghanistan and other countries.

The State Department official said he would also table with the Azerbaijani leader issues of democracy, human rights and anti-corruption fight.

"We have held regular meetings on these issues both with President Aliyev and his government. We want all these efforts to eventually lead to the emergence of a tolerant society in Azerbaijan and to fostering conditions suitable for comprehensive civil participation."