Azernews.Az

Iran is one of the main security challenges of Azerbaijan, new U.S. ambassador in Baku Richard Morningstar told reporters on Monday.

"During my meetings with officials we always touched on and will touch on this issue," Morningstar said.

The ambassador said that Washington will continue to work closely with Azerbaijan on the issue.

Regarding a letter from Congressman Dana Rohrabacher addressed to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on the need to support the fight for the independence of South Azerbaijan (northern Iran) from Iran, the ambassador said the United States respects the recognized borders of Iran.

The U.S. State Department has confirmed receipt of a letter from Congressman Rohrabacher, which also cited the possibility of South Azerbaijan's unification with the Republic of Azerbaijan.

"The ideas of Congressman Rohrabacher do not reflect the official position of the United States," Morningstar said.

'Strong' relations

The relations between the U.S. and Azerbaijan are strong, Morningstar told reporters.

"We are working together on issues like regional stability, energy security, democracy, human rights, and counter-terrorism," Morningstar said. "My goal is to further enhance the relationship between the U.S. and Azerbaijan."

He said he has paid 20 visits to Azerbaijan before arriving in the country in the capacity of ambassador in late August.

"I have been very busy since my arrival. I had an opportunity to meet with Azerbaijani officials, including Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov," the diplomat said.

Asked about the pardon of military officer Ramil Safarov, who was extradited to his home country after serving part of his life sentence in Hungary for killing an Armenian officer in Budapest in 2004, Morningstar said he stands by the statements of the US Department of State.

"My concern is that it does not contribute to defusing tension in the region," he said. "We hope that we can continue the constructive process on Nagorno-Karabakh."

Ramil Safarov was extradited to Azerbaijan on August 31. The same day, he was pardoned under an order of President Ilham Aliyev.

Morningstar said it is important that Azerbaijan and Armenia continue working with the mediating OSCE Minsk Group -- co-chaired by the United States, Russia and France -- to find a solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. "As a co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, the U.S. will work with the other co-chairs, Azerbaijan and Armenia in this regard," he said.