Azerbaijan attaches great importance to US ties, deputy PM says

Azerbaijan attaches great importance to expanding cooperation with the United States, and the signing of the Strategic Partnership Charter marked a historic milestone in bilateral relations, Deputy Prime Minister Samir Sharifov has stated.

Speaking at an event marking the 250th anniversary of US Independence Day, Sharifov said the Strategic Partnership Charter represented "a historic stage in the development of bilateral relations," Caliber.Az reports, citing local media.

According to him, Azerbaijan has sought to deepen cooperation with the United States in trade, the economy, energy and other areas of mutual interest since diplomatic relations were established 34 years ago.

Sharifov noted that Azerbaijan's participation in the US-led Global Coalition to Counter Terrorism and the two countries' joint contribution to global energy security were clear examples of bilateral cooperation.

In his view, Azerbaijani-US relations are now developing at a rapid pace.

Sharifov further stated that Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev's visit to the United States in August last year at the invitation of US President Donald Trump marked the beginning of a new phase in bilateral ties.

"Azerbaijan highly values the support and mediation efforts of President Donald Trump during that visit in facilitating the signing of a peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia, the opening and operation of the Zangezur Corridor, and the establishment of the 'Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity,'" Sharifov added.

He stressed that subsequent meetings between the Azerbaijani and US leaders, as well as US Vice President JD Vance's visit to Azerbaijan in February, underscored the intensity of high-level political dialogue.

Sharifov also expressed confidence that improving mechanisms for economic cooperation would provide fresh momentum for expanding trade ties and business cooperation between the two countries.

He further said that President Ilham Aliyev's "far-sighted and constructive policy" following Azerbaijan's victory in the 44-day Patriotic War had strengthened the country's geopolitical role in the South Caucasus and the Caspian region, shaping what he described as a new geopolitical reality.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov