U.S. grateful for Azerbaijan’s partnership in Afghanistan
By Sara Rajabova
U.S. State Secretary John Kerry has congratulated people of Azerbaijan on the Republic Day - May 28.
The U.S. is especially grateful for Azerbaijan's partnership on the NATO mission in Afghanistan, Kerry said in his statement.
"On behalf of President Barack Obama and the people of the United States, I congratulate the government and people of Azerbaijan as you observe Republic Day on May 28. The Republic of Azerbaijan and the United States share a commitment to diversifying energy supplies and promoting regional security. We are especially grateful for Azerbaijan's partnership on the NATO mission in Afghanistan," Kerry said.
NATO and Azerbaijan are actively cooperating on democratic, institutional, and military reforms, and enjoy practical cooperation in various areas. 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 Azerbaijani peacekeepers were established as part of the Azerbaijani armed forces in 1997.
Kerry further noted that the United States remains committed to working with Azerbaijan to strengthen its democratic institutions, promote the development of its open market economy, and find a peaceful resolution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, emerged in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan.
May 28, 1918, marks the establishment of the ADR, the first independent republic and democratic state on the East. Although it existed for only 23 months, it brought about great progress in foreign policy, and introduced Azerbaijan to the international community.
Azerbaijan, which gained its independence in 1991 after the collapse of the Soviet Union, celebrates May 28 annually as the Republic Day.