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