US official says military exercises to boost relations with Azerbaijan
Assa-Irada
5 Oct 04
Baku, 4 October: Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov met US
Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs Lincoln
Bloomfield on 4 October. Bloomfield spoke about the expediency of
holding military exercises and events of this kind to expand military
ties between the two countries. Speaking highly about Azerbaijan’s
support for the USA in fighting terrorism, Bloomfield emphasized the
need for the further expansion of bilateral relations and their
continuation within the framework of international organizations.
Mammadyarov said that Azerbaijan attached major importance to
partnership with the USA. The Azerbaijani military backs the US
efforts in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kosovo, he added. Mammadyarov hoped
that the USA would become more active in the settlement of the
Nagornyy Karabakh conflict as a co-chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group.
Bloomfield said that the USA was very sensitive to tension in
Azerbaijan and Armenia over the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict. He said
that official Washington would continue its efforts to settle the
problem.