Greetings from the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Washington, DC. In this edition of the news digest, you will find stories about 5th Global Baku Forum, meeting of the Union of Legal Entities of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route Association, Azerbaijan-U.S. and Azerbaijan-Israel relations. To learn more about the Embassy’s activities, please remember to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

Rex Tillerson: Azerbaijan was one of the first countries to offer support after September 11
AzerTag.az

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has said his country works closely with Azerbaijan on energy. “The United States supports Azerbaijan's efforts to diversify its economy and increase its economic opportunity,” said Tillerson as he had an exchange of congratulatory letters with Azerbaijani FM Elmar Mammadyarov on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Tillerson noted that Azerbaijan was one of the first countries to offer support after 9/11.

Tillerson: US interested in early settlement of Karabakh conflict
Trend News Agency

The US is interested in an early settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, reads the letter of the US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov.

Ambassador Elin Suleymanov speaks at AIPAC Policy Conference
Azeri Daily

Ambassador of Azerbaijan Elin Suleymanov spoke at panel discussions titled “New Allies: Israel and Caucasus Region” as part of the AIPAC Policy Conference on March 26, 2017. Ambassador Suleymanov noted that Azerbaijan is a historical place for the peaceful coexistence of various faiths. He stressed that Israel was one of the first countries to recognize the independence of Azerbaijan. Ambassador stated that Azerbaijan closely cooperates with the US on energy and counterterrorism issues.

Azerbaijani US Ambassador: Israel Is a Pragmatic Partner and Good Friend, We Want it to Be Normal for Muslims and Jews to Be Allies
The Algemeiner

Ambassador of Azerbaijan Elin Suleymanov says:”We have a 2,500-year-old Jewish community in Azerbaijan, with both Sephardim and Ashkenazim. Jewish people have always been part of Azerbaijan’s society. There is also a very strong Azerbaijani Jewish community in Israel. Haifa is now a sister city of Baku, our capital, and there are direct flights between Tel Aviv and Baku. When Azerbaijan became independent again (with the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991), Israel was among the very first countries to recognize it. There are very strong economic, technological, medical, educational, agricultural, tourism and security ties. It’s a mutually beneficial relationship.”

Mattarella: Baku forum to support dialogue, co-op between different people
Azertag.az

The modern era makes it important to reflect upon the pressing and urgent challenges faced by the international community, Italy’s President Sergio Mattarella said in his message that was read out at the opening of the 5th Global Baku Forum.

Albania, Azerbaijan focused on SGC project: Nishani
Trend News Agency

Albania and Azerbaijan are linked by traditional and historical ties, and economic cooperation between the two countries has increased several times in recent years, Albanian President Bujar Nishani told Trend on the sidelines of the 5th Global Baku Forum. “Currently, our attention is focused on such important economic issues as the implementation of the Southern Gas Corridor (SGC) project,” the Albanian president said.

Ambassador Suleymanov gives an interview to The John Batchelor Show
The John Batchelor Show

Listen to The John Batchelor Show as Ambassador of Azerbaijan Elin Suleymanov talks about US-Azerbaijan relations.

Nebraska proclaims May 28 as Azerbaijan National Day
Azernews.az

The Governor of the State of Nebraska, Pete Ricketts has signed a proclamation on Azerbaijan National Day. The proclamation reads: "On May 28, 1918, Azerbaijan declared its independence establishing the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, which became the first secular parliamentary democracy in the Muslim world and was recognized by other democratic states, including the United States of America. During the short period of independence Azerbaijan granted all people the right to vote regardless of race, gender, ethnicity and religion, becoming the first Muslim nation to grant women equal political rights with men, an accomplishment preceding the United States."

Read Feride Buyuran’s story about her trip to Washington, D.C.
AZCookbook

Author of Azerbaijan cookbook “Pomegranates and Saffron” Feride Buyuran writes: “The main purpose of our trip to Washington, DC was two big events that the Embassy of Azerbaijan to the United States (sponsor of the Second Edition of Pomegranates and Saffron) organized in two exciting places – the Library of Congress and the World Bank. I feel very honored and humbled to have had the opportunity to speak at both venues and I thank everyone involved in making both events happen.”

Azerbaijan's Ambassadors On The Country’s History, Economy And Elections
KGOU

Ambassador of Azerbaijan to the U.S. Elin Suleymanov says: “Azerbaijan is considered to be among the best investments in the world by the World Bank. The economy grew enormously. And the GDP growth in 2008-2009 was the fastest in the world at about 40 percent above what it was. Azerbaijan has the largest port in the Caspian. We are building a railway connection between east and west into the Turkish system to take the goods from China all the way from China to Kazakhstan and then our port to Georgia, Turkey and into European markets. That, by the way cuts, under ideal circumstances of course cuts the average delivery time for goods coming from China to you from 45 days by ship to 14 days over train. That is a creation of a new Silk Road, and that's what we're trying to do.”

Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Georgia ink protocol on Trans-Caspian transport route
Trend News Agency

Baku hosted a protocol signing ceremony as part of the meeting of the Union of Legal Entities of the “Trans-Caspian International Transport Route” association. The parties approved the regulations on membership in the Union of Legal Entities of the “Trans-Caspian International Transport Route” association, composition of the working group on development of the transport route, action plan for 2017, the Union charter and its logo, according to the meeting minutes. The Trans-Caspian International Transport Route runs through China, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Georgia and then through Turkey and Ukraine to Europe.

Single tariffs for Trans-Caspian route to be defined soon
Trend News Agency

Single tariffs for cargo transportation along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route will be determined in the near future, Chairman of Azerbaijan Railways CJSC Javid Gurbanov told reporters in Baku. He made the remarks on the sidelines of the general meeting of the Union of Legal Entities of the “Trans-Caspian International Transport Route” association. He said that the tariffs will be developed taking into account Ukraine’s joining this route. “After the signing of today’s protocol, Ukraine will also officially become a member of our route,” Gurbanov said. “If earlier Batumi was our final destination, now the route will continue through Ukraine, so the tariffs will be set considering this factor.”

Embassy of Azerbaijan hosted a reception to celebrate Novruz holiday at the Mayflower hotel in Washington, DC

Embassy of Azerbaijan to the U.S. hosted a reception to celebrate the Novruz holiday at the Mayflower hotel in Washington, DC on March 17, 2017.

Commentary: In Azerbaijan, lessons on peace and harmony
Philadelphia Media Network

Marcia Bronstein writes: “While the Republic of Azerbaijan had never been on my bucket list, I eagerly embraced the recent chance to experience it as a participant in a Muslim/Jewish women's bridge-building trip helmed by the Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom (SOSS). Azerbaijan's unique and successful model of peaceful coexistence among people of different faiths and cultural backgrounds was the draw. Over the centuries, Azerbaijan has shown the possibility of peaceful coexistence among diverse faith groups; Muslims and Jews, Shiites and Sunnis, all live together in peace, harmony, and dignity”.