New U.S. ambassador to contribute cooperation with Azerbaijan
By Sara Rajabova
Appointment of a new U.S. ambassador to Azerbaijan will further develop bilateral cooperation between Washington and Baku.
MP Asim Mollazade made the remarks on February 11 while commenting on the current situation of relations between the United States and Azerbaijan.
Robert Cekuta, the newly appointed ambassador of the U.S. to Azerbaijan, will arrive in Baku on February 12.
Mollazade told AzerNews that Washington and Baku are strategic partners cooperating in security issues, as well as in the fields of energy, human rights, democracy and etc.
He added that after Cekuta’s taking the post of ambassador in Azerbaijan, he would contribute to the expansion of ties between the two countries in various fields.
The U.S. Senate approved the candidacy of Cekuta as the new ambassador to Azerbaijan in last December.
Prior to his arrival in Azerbaijan, Cekuta has issued a welcome statement to the people of Azerbaijan.
In his welcome video message, the envoy said the U.S. and Azerbaijan have had common goals since Azerbaijan’s independence in 1991.
Cekuta stressed the main areas of cooperation which he intends to strengthen after taking office.
“Regional security, economic development, youth employment and democratic development are top priorities of our relationship,” a statement posted at the U.S. embassy’s Facebook page said.
Cekuta said it is important to strengthen the contacts between people to bring the two countries together, noting that all these priorities are key elements contributing to the stability of Azerbaijan.
"I am looking forward to the arrival in Azerbaijan," Cekuta said.
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.
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Sara Rajabova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @SaraRajabova
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