Rubio congratulates Azerbaijan, pledges deeper partnership

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has congratulated Azerbaijan on its Independence Day, reaffirming support for stronger bilateral ties and regional peace efforts in the South Caucasus.

In a statement, Rubio said Washington and Baku had strengthened their relationship over the past year by elevating ties to the level of a strategic partnership, Caliber.Az reports. 

Rubio noted that the partnership was formalised during the visit of U.S. Vice President JD Vance to Baku, where he and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev signed a Strategic Partnership Charter.

“Over the past year, we have elevated our relationship to a Strategic Partnership,” Rubio said, adding that the United States looked forward to “further enhancing our partnership by expanding regional connectivity, economic ties, and security cooperation.”

The top U.S. diplomat also praised Azerbaijan’s role in promoting stability in the South Caucasus.

“The United States applauds Azerbaijan’s commitment to durable peace in the South Caucasus and looks forward to continuing our collaboration on these efforts,” Rubio said.

He added that Washington hoped to deepen cooperation with Azerbaijan “this coming year and into the future.”

By Sabina Mammadli