RICHARD ARMITAGE US ENCOURAGES PEACEFUL GARABAGH SETTLEMENT
AssA-Irada
September 17, 2009 Thursday
Azerbaijan
The U.S., a co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group brokering settlement to
the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict, encourages resolution of the Upper
(Nagorno) Garabagh conflict, said former US Deputy Secretary of State
Richard Armitage in his address at the Azerbaijan Diplomatic Academy
(ADA). Armitage has been invited by Deputy Foreign Minister and Rector
of ADA Hafiz Pashayev to report on the Washingtons foreign policy. US
diplomat noted Obama Administration pays more attention to defense
in foreign policy as well as democracy and development. On the US
policy towards European and Asian states, Armitage said US-Azerbaijan
relationship is strategic. The United States places a particular
emphasis on Azerbaijan in the South Caucasus region. Azerbaijan has
a strategically important position in the region, contributing to the
Caucasus. Armitage noted Azerbaijan has developed much since his last
trip to Azerbaijan.