UNITED STATES EUROPEAN COMMAND SATISFIES WITH SERVICE OF AZERBAIJAN’S SOLDIER
[June 02, 2005, 11:34:21]

AzerTag, Azerbaijan
June 2 2005

Chairman of the Milli Majlis of the Azerbaijan Republic Murtuz
Alaskarov received on June 1 the delegation led by deputy commander
of the United States European Command General Charles Wald, now
visiting the country. Greeting the visitors, Speaker of the Azerbaijan
Parliament dwelt on existent relations between Azerbaijan and US, and
highly assessed the role of the heads of state in development of these
ties. The nationwide leader of the Azerbaijan people Heydar Aliyev
since 1994 has for many times been visiting the United States, held
numerous meetings, signed a number of contracts. The Congressmen of
the United States and Azerbaijani parliamentarians have made mutual
visits to widen bilateral relations. The Memo signed between the
Congress and Milli Majlis provides creation of working groups and
their useful cooperation.

It is pleased that in many international questions the positions of
two countries coincide, Mr. Alaskarov underscored.

Speaker Alaskarov highlighted on the recently passed Yalta gathering
of the GUAM Parliamentary Assembly, and also noted necessity of
settlement of the existent conflicts in region.

Touching upon the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh conflict, Mr.
Murtuz Alaskarov said the aggressor – as is known Armenia has been
recognized as an aggressor state – should be forced to observe
international law and without condition abandon the occupied
Azerbaijani territories. The aggressor should be imposed serious
sanctions, he emphasized. Only in this way, Azerbaijan’s territorial
integrity would be restored.

Speaking on behalf of the House of Representatives and Congress
members, Senator Charles Hagel said the goal of the visit is to thank
President of Azerbaijan, the Governments and people of Azerbaijan
for support of the United States, also negotiate on perspectives of
cooperation in mutually interested issues in the region.

At the meeting, also were speaking ambassador of the United States to
Azerbaijan Reno Harnish, deputy commander of the United States European
Command General Charles Wald, who expressed consent with current
level of relations between two countries, and the latter thanked
for exemplary service of the Azerbaijani soldiers in peacemaking
operations in Afghanistan, Kosovo and Iraq.

Mr. Charles Hagel said the United States would further support the
fair position of Azerbaijan.

The sides also had comprehensive exchange of views on a range of
questions of mutual interest.