[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 72 (Tuesday, May 24, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E937]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




COMMEMORATING AZERBAIJAN'S REPUBLIC DAY AND 20 YEARS OF U.S.-AZERBIJAN 
                               RELATIONS-

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                           HON. VIRGINIA FOXX

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 24, 2011

  Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, as it celebrates its 93rd anniversary of 
independence from the Russian Empire, I would like to take the 
opportunity to honor the Republic of Azerbaijan on the occasion of its 
May 28th Republic Day. Later this year, Azerbaijan will also celebrate 
the 20th anniversary of its freedom from the Soviet Union and the start 
of diplomatic relations with the United States.
  Azerbaijan has made incredible progress in the last 20 years and has 
become a key ally of the United States in a strategically important 
region.
  Azerbaijan is located between Russia and Iran in the strategic region 
between Europe and Asia. A stable and secular country, it is one of the 
few places in that part of the world where Muslims, Jews and Christians 
live together in peace.
  The U.S.-Azerbaijan partnership is based on shared values and common 
goals and is a key component to regional security. As highlighted by 
Secretary of Defense Robert Gates during a recent visit to Azerbaijan, 
Azerbaijan provides multi-faceted support for U.S. and NATO operations 
in Afghanistan and is a key part of the Northern Distribution Network 
providing ground and naval transit for roughly 25 percent of the 
Coalition's supplies bound for Afghanistan.
  Beyond support for U.S. security interests in the region, Azerbaijan 
plays a paramount role in strengthening U.S. and European energy 
security and is expanding its commercial and economic ties with the 
United States. Azerbaijan is a secular Muslim country that maintains 
close friendly ties with Israel and supplies roughly a quarter of 
Israel's oil.
  My colleagues are encouraged to join me in honoring Azerbaijan on the 
occasion of its 93rd Republic Day and celebrating a robust U.S.-
Azerbaijan relationship.

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