Azernews.Az

Azerbaijan and the United States are maintaining strategic partnership, Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Khalaf Khalafov said in a meeting with a California Senate committee chair in Baku Tuesday.

Khalafov said no efforts were spared to expand relations with the state of California.

The deputy minister said Azerbaijan is an "active" participant and initiator of important projects in the South Caucasus and Caspian regions.

He stressed that US-Azerbaijan cooperation on global and regional issues as well as counter-terrorism is continuing.

Khalafov termed relations between the two countries’ legislative bodies as "important", adding that reciprocal visits play the role of a "bridge" in the development of bilateral ties.

On Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Nagorno Karabakh, Khalafov pointed to the occupation of 20 percent of Azerbaijan’s territories by Armenia and briefed the senator on the challenges facing refugees and IDPs displaced during the 1990s war. He stressed that as a result of Armenia’s policy of aggression and groundless claims against its neighbors, this country has been left out of regional projects.

Khalafov described Armenia’s policy as the main obstacle to restoration of peace and stability in the region and noted that the results of the occupation "have not been recognized by the world community".

The US senators, led by the chair of California Senate Environmental Quality Committee Joe Simitian, hailed Azerbaijan’s role in the region, stressing the country’s strategic importance. They also praised "rapid" development of the country.