[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 75 (Friday, May 27, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E985]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        HONORING THE REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJAN ON ``REPUBLIC DAY''

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                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS-

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 26, 2011

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring 
the Republic of Azerbaijan in celebration of the 93rd anniversary of 
Republic Day on May 28th. Later this year, Azerbaijan will also 
celebrate the 20th anniversary of its freedom from the Soviet Union and 
the beginning of diplomatic relations with the United States.
  Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, 
Azerbaijan was established in 1918 becoming the first democratic and 
secular republic in the Muslim world before being incorporated into the 
Soviet Union in 1920. The country regained its independence in 1991.
  The U.S. and Azerbaijan have developed a strong relationship through 
the opening of Caspain energy sources for development by American 
companies, which has also allowed the country to emerge as an essential 
player in global energy security. The Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline 
project has become a vital part of delivering Caspian Sea resources to 
the U.S. and our partners in Europe, and serves as a prime example of 
the development of the South Caucuses region. Most notably, in 2009 
nearly one quarter of all crude oil supplies to Israel were provided by 
Azerbaijan, and the country emerged as a leading potential natural gas 
provider for the U.S. supported Nabucco pipeline.
  Azerbaijan has continually assisted the United States on matters of 
international security, supporting and participating in operations in 
both Kosovo and Iraq as well as being actively engaged in Afghanistan. 
In addition to recently doubling its military presence in Afghanistan, 
Azerbaijan has regularly facilitated landing and refueling operations 
for U.S. and NATO forces in the region. Furthermore, Azerbaijan offered 
strong and immediate aid to the United States directly following the 
devastating events of 9/11.
  Again, it is my distinct pleasure to honor the Republic of Azerbaijan 
in celebration of the 93rd anniversary of Republic Day, and to 
recognize the valuable bilateral relationship between the United States 
and Azerbaijan.

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