Greetings from the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Washington, DC. In this edition of the news digest, you will find stories about the U.S.-Azerbaijan Annual Conference and the 25th Anniversary of the establishment of U.S.-Azerbaijan diplomatic relations, the 3rd Ministerial Meeting of the Southern Gas Corridor Advisory Council, Azerbaijan-U.S. and Azerbaijan-Israel relations as well as about the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno Karabakh conflict and commemoration of the Khojaly tragedy. To learn more about the Embassy’s activities, please remember to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

President Ilham Aliyev received chairman of US Joint Chiefs of Staff
Trend News Agency

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received a delegation led by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the US Department of Defense Joseph Dunford. The successful development of bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and the US in the military, political, economic, energy security, defense, and security fields was stressed during the meeting. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the US Department of Defense Joseph Dunford highly appreciated Azerbaijan’s role in the international peacekeeping operations and the country’s significant contribution to cargo transportation to Afghanistan.

US appreciates Azerbaijan’s participation in fighting terrorism: Dunford
Trend News Agency

The US highly appreciates Azerbaijan's participation in the fight against terrorism and high professionalism of Azerbaijani peacekeepers in Afghanistan, said Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff Joseph Dunford. He was addressing a meeting with Azerbaijan’s Defense Minister Zakir Hasanov in Baku. General Dunford said he was well aware of the successful reforms implemented in the Azerbaijani Armed Forces, press service of the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry reported. Colonel General Hasanov in turn said that military ties between the two countries are developing successfully. He spoke about military cooperation between Azerbaijan and the US, including activities of Azerbaijan’s Armed Forces within NATO programs. Hasanov also noted Azerbaijan’s contribution in the Resolute Support non-combat mission in Afghanistan.

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson fully supports the "Southern Gas Corridor" project
APA

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson fully supports the "Southern Gas Corridor" project, said Acting Special Envoy and Coordinator for International Energy Affairs at the U.S. Department of State speaking at the the “US-Azerbaijan” conference.

Letter to USACC members from the President of Azerbaijan, H.E. Ilham Aliyev on the occasion of USACC Annual Conference and 25th Anniversary of U.S.-Azerbaijan relations
USACC

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, H.E. Ilham Aliyev writes: “Azerbaijan and the United States enjoy a strong relationship based on close friendship and cooperation. We cooperate successfully in many areas of economy, particularly in ensuring energy security and diversification of resources. Azerbaijan, in cooperation with its partners and with the full support of the United States, realized important geostrategic projects such as Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil and Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas pipelines. Currently we are working together on the Southern Gas Corridor, which will contribute significantly to Europe’s energy security”.

Ambassador Cekuta’s remarks at U.S.-Azerbaijan Chamber of Commerce annual conference
U.S. Department of State

Ambassador of the U.S. to Azerbaijan Robert Cekuta says: “The United States values its relationship with Azerbaijan and has long invested in its success. We also recognize what Azerbaijan has done to support the United States as well, whether in sending troops to Afghanistan, Iraq, and Kosovo, whether through the Northern Distribution Network supporting U.S. forces in Afghanistan, and what Azerbaijan has done to support the wider international community through Azerbaijan's relations with Israel, or through its efforts to fight terrorism and provide an example to others in the region as a majority Shi'a state with a history of religious tolerance”.

USACC Presents Appreciation Awards to Ten Dignitaries
USACC

2017 USACC Annual Conference concluded with a high-level formal reception organized in partnership with Embassy of Azerbaijan at the historic Willard InterContinental hotel. The reception was dedicated to the celebration of 25th anniversary of United States-Azerbaijan diplomatic relations. The highlight of the event was the presentation of ten USACC Appreciation Awards to dignitaries, politicians and companies for their continuous contribution to the United States - Azerbaijan diplomatic, trade and business relations over the past 25 years.

2017 USACC annual conference successfully completed
Azernews

United States-Azerbaijan Chamber of Commerce (USACC) has successfully concluded its annual conference at the historic Willard InterContinental Hotel in Washington, DC on March 1-2, 2017 with the support of the Embassy of Azerbaijan. The theme of 2017 USACC Annual Conference was “Looking Ahead: Diplomacy, Business, Trade & Investment” and celebration of 25th anniversary of United States-Azerbaijan diplomatic relations. The event brought together 38 distinguished speakers, over 250 participants representing American and Azerbaijani government agencies and companies, leading American think-tanks, international organizations, America’s Fortune 500 companies, large investment banks and funds as well as members of diplomatic corps.

Azerbaijani survivor of Khojaly tragedy addresses US Congress
News.az

Azerbaijani Center of Midwest America organized a special event in the US Congress to pay tribute to victims of the Khojaly tragedy. Survivor of Khojaly tragedy Narmin Ibrahimova, who studies in the US, shared her bitter memories about the bloody massacre occurred 25 years ago.

Azerbaijani FM: Unresolved Karabakh conflict - threat in region
Trend News Agency

The unresolved Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is a serious threat to peace, security, stability and comprehensive cooperation in the South Caucasus region, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov said. He made the remarks in Ankara at the international conference “Khojaly Genocide, Crimes Against Humanity and Terrorism”.

President Ilham Aliyev: SGC – issue of energy security and energy security is national security of countries
Trend News Agency

The Southern Gas Corridor is an issue of energy security and the energy security is the national security of countries, said Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev addressing the Southern Gas Corridor (SGC) Advisory Council’s Third Ministerial Meeting that kicked off in the Heydar Aliyev Center in Baku. “We have been able to create a unique and exemplary format of international cooperation,” noted the president emphasizing that the implementation of SGC project is a very important factor for future ties. The president spoke about the advancements achieved since the last year’s meeting, noting that Shah Deniz-2 project has been implemented by 90 percent. Furthermore, important achievements have been observed with regard to TANAP and TAP projects.

Welcoming address by European Commission Vice President Maroš Šefčovič at the "3rd Ministerial Meeting of the Southern Gas Corridor Advisory Council" in Baku, Azerbaijan (Video)
European Commission

Visit of Maroš Šefčovič, Vice-President of the EC to Azerbaijan: opening speech, at the 3rd Ministerial Meeting of the Southern Gas Corridor Advisory Council.

Dunnigan: SGC remains priority for US
Trend News Agency

The Southern Gas Corridor (SGC) remains a strategic priority for the United States, said Robin Dunnigan, deputy assistant secretary for energy diplomacy in the Department of State’s Bureau of Energy Resources. Dunnigan made the remarks at a press conference held after the SGC Advisory Council Third Ministerial Meeting that kicked off in the Heydar Aliyev Center in Baku.

SGC to benefit communities along its entire route: Sefcovic
Trend News Agency

The Southern Gas Corridor (SGC) will significantly benefit all the communities along the entire route of the pipeline, said Maros Sefcovic, European Commission vice-president for Energy Union. He made the remarks at a press conference after the SGC Advisory Council Third Ministerial Meeting that kicked off in the Heydar Aliyev Center in Baku.

SGC to be expanded through extra interconnectors
Trend News Agency

The Southern Gas Corridor (SGC) project will be significantly expanded through the construction of additional interconnectors in Europe, said Bulgarian Energy Minister Nikolay Pavlov. He made the remarks at a meeting with his Azerbaijani counterpart Natig Aliyev in Baku.

Montenegrin minister: TAP project – highest priority for Europe
Trend News Agency

The Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) project is of the highest priority for Europe, said Montenegro’s Economy Minister Dragica Sekulic. Sekulic made the remarks at a press conference on the results of the Southern Gas Corridor (SGC) Advisory Council’s Third Ministerial Meeting in Baku. TAP is a part of the Southern Gas Corridor which is one of the priority energy projects for the European Union.

IAP pipeline’s construction could start in 2-3 years – minister
Trend News Agency

The construction work under the Ionian-Adriatic Pipeline (IAP) could start in two or three years, Montenegro’s Minister of Economy Dragica Sekulic told reporters in Baku. “We are finishing planning and designing. We hope that in two or three years, we will be ready to start the construction work,” added Sekulic. “This is one of the highest priority energy projects for that part of Europe. We will do our best to have as fastest development as we can.”

Sefcovic: SGC important for Europe’s energy security
Trend News Agency

The Southern Gas Corridor project has strategic importance for the energy security of Europe, said Maros Sefcovic, European Commission vice-president for Energy Union. He was addressing the Southern Gas Corridor (SGC) Advisory Council Third Ministerial Meeting in Baku. Sefcovic said the progress in the Southern Gas Corridor’s construction was achieved not only thanks to the enormous effort and work in all the countries through which this pipeline is routing, but also thanks to the good atmosphere created around the negotiating table regarding the project.

President Ilham Aliyev receives US delegation
Trend News Agency

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received a US delegation led by Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Diplomacy in the Department of State’s Bureau of Energy Resources Robin Dunnigan. President Ilham Aliyev described the organization of ministerial meetings of the Southern Gas Corridor Advisory Council in Baku as a good tradition. Stressing the importance of these meetings in terms of practical discussions, the head of state hailed this as a sign of successful execution of the project. The head of state said a lot has been done so far, adding that the project is approaching its final phase. President Ilham Aliyev underlined the significance of Robin Dunnigan’s attending the third Ministerial Meeting of the Southern Gas Corridor Advisory Council due to take place in Baku tomorrow, describing this as the US government’s consistent support for the project.

President Ilham Aliyev meets Israeli defense minister in Munich
Trend News Agency

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev met with Defense Minister of the State of Israel Avigdor Lieberman in Munich, Germany. The sides discussed various aspects of Azerbaijan-Israel relations. Lieberman recalled his visit to Azerbaijan as foreign minister. They highlighted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s successful visit to Azerbaijan last year. The sides hailed military and technical cooperation between Azerbaijan and Israel, and discussed future collaboration in this area.