PHILLIP GORDON REITERATES WASHINGTON’S SUPPORT FOR BAKU

rdon-reiterates-washingtons-support-for-baku/
Jun 11, 2009

BAKU (Combined Sources)-The new top U.S. diplomat in charge of European
and Eurasian affairs arrived in Baku on Thursday where he reiterated
Washington’s support for Azerbaijan.

US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian affairs
Phillip Gordon arrived in the Azeri capital Thursday on the last
leg of a regional tour of the South Caucasus. He visited Yerevan on
Tuesday and Georgia on Wednesday.

"Azerbaijan is an important country for us," Gordon said speaking to
reporters at Baku’s international airport.

"We are interested in the security in the region including the solution
to Nagorno Karabakh conflict. I consider that there is opportunity
for it and the US is ready to give support."

Gordon was scheduled to meet with government officials to discuss
the development of democracy and human rights, broadcast rights for
international radios in Azerbaijan and the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

The U.S. supports constructive dialogue between sides of the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Gordon said.

"The United States supports diversification of energy resources in
Europe. It is important from the view of energy security. We are
ready to work with Azerbaijan in this field," Gordon said talking
about the possibility of US financial support to the Nabucco gas
pipeline project.

Washington sent a strong signal of support to Azerbaijan earlier this
month when the U.S. State Department’s special envoy for Eurasian
energy visited Baku and delivered a letter from President Barack
Obama expressing support for Azerbaijan in the regional energy market.

That letter was given to Azeri President Ilham Aliyev and read out
at the start of the Caspian Oil and Gas exhibition in Baku sponsored
by the Azeri Energy Ministry and the State Oil Company (Socar).

Morningstar said the role of Azerbaijan in European energy security
matters would establish a strong partnership with Washington and its
allies, the Trend news agency reported