U.S. State of Hawaii backs Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity
By Sara Rajabova
The House of Representatives of the U.S. State of Hawaii supported Azerbaijan's territorial integrity.
The resolution issued by the Hawaiian legislative body on March 28 emphasized that Karabakh region is an internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan.
The document was presented to Nasimi Aghayev, Azerbaijan's Consul General in Los Angeles, who was present at the plenary session of the House of Representatives.
During the presentation of the resolution, which was supported by both democrats and republicans of the House, Democratic Majority Floor Leader Rida Cabanilla, Republican Minority Floor Leader Gene Ward, Chair of the Tourism Committee Tom Brower and member of the Education Committee Richard Fale offered remarks, noting the strategic importance of the U.S.-Azerbaijan partnership as well as the tremendous efforts undertaken by Azerbaijan in the fight against international terrorism.
The resolution says over the last twenty three years, Azerbaijan has consolidated its sovereignty and independence, and has become one of the fastest developing countries in the region and beyond.
Highlighting the U.S.-Azerbaijan relations, the document calls Azerbaijan a staunch ally of the U.S. in the critically important Caspian region.
It states that the U.S. along with the United Nations recognize and support Azerbaijan's sovereignty and territorial integrity, within Azerbaijan's internationally recognized borders, including the Karabakh region.
The document also mentioned that Azerbaijan was one of the first countries to render unconditional assistance to the U.S. after the terror attacks of September 11, opening its airspace and airports for the use by coalition troops in Afghanistan and sending its officers and soldiers to serve there shoulder-to-shoulder with U.S. troops.
The Azerbaijani peacekeeping contingent in Afghanistan doubled in 2009. Currently, some 90 Azerbaijani servicemen are serving in ISAF. A company and then a battalion of peacekeepers were established as part of the Azerbaijani armed forces in 1997.
Azerbaijan is among the eight partner countries that have confirmed their presence in Afghanistan after 2014. Peacekeepers of the country will stay in Afghanistan after the withdrawal of U.S. troops from the country by the end of 2014. However, Azerbaijan will reduce its presence in Afghanistan after 2014.
The resolution also said today around 40 percent of all supplies for troops of the U.S. and its allies in Afghanistan are delivered via Azerbaijan.
Moreover, the document noted that Azerbaijan contributes to the energy security of the U.S. and European nations, and is a critical element of the "Southern Corridor," which will further enhance diversification of energy supplies to Europe.
The document further said Azerbaijan has a long-standing tradition of peaceful co-existence between various ethnic and religious communities.
Touching upon Azerbaijan's relations with Hawaii, the document stressed that Azerbaijan attaches great importance to expanding its relations with the State of Hawaii, and the state's capital Honolulu and Azerbaijan's capital city of Baku enjoy a long-standing sister-city partnership.
The resolution concluded by noting that it is critical for the U.S. to further strengthen the relations with its allies, such as Azerbaijan and voiced full support of the Hawaii House of Representatives for the strategic partnership and friendship between the U.S. and Azerbaijan.
Since Azerbaijan's emergence as an independent nation in 1991, the U.S.-Azerbaijan relationship has evolved into a strategic partnership based on mutual interests and common values. At present, Azerbaijan-U.S. relations are developing rapidly.