[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 80 (Thursday, May 31, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E923]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




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

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BILL SHUSTER

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 31, 2012

  Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring 
the Republic of Azerbaijan in celebration of the 94th anniversary of 
Republic Day on May 28th.
  Azerbaijan and the United States have developed a robust and growing 
relationship over the last two decades. I am proud extremely that we 
have established what Secretary Clinton has called ``deep, important, 
and durable bonds between the United States and Azerbaijan.''
  Although located in a geopolitically dynamic region sandwiched 
between Russia and Iran, Azerbaijan has consistently looked to the 
United States as an ally despite these difficult neighbors. A secular 
county with a predominantly Muslim population, Azerbaijan has also been 
home for over a millennia to vibrant Christian and Jewish communities 
representing a role model for peaceful coexistence and harmony of 
different religions and ethnic groups.
  Azerbaijan was also the first country to open Caspian energy 
resources to development by U.S. and European companies and has emerged 
as a key player for global energy security. The Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan 
pipeline project, supported by both the Clinton and George W. Bush 
Administrations, is the most successful project contributing to the 
development of the South Caucuses region. Exporting around 1 million 
barrels of oil and gas from the Caspian Sea basin to international 
markets, Azerbaijan also provides nearly 40 percent of all crude oil 
supplies to Israel. Additionally, the successful launch and continued 
exploration of the Shah Deniz project will open up the Southern Gas 
Corridor delivering alternative gas supplies to Europe, further 
contributing towards a movement away from dependence on Middle Eastern 
Oil and energy suppliers.
  Azerbaijan has also continued to take steps to ensure the strength 
and security of its infrastructure in a tumultuous region. The 
completion of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railroad connection expected in 
early 2013, expansion of cargo and passenger terminal of the Baku 
international airport, and construction of the brand new Baku 
International Sea Trade Port all are key contributors to Azerbaijan's 
increasing role as a transportation hub in the region linking European 
and Asian markets.
  On a security front, Azerbaijan has been a key ally in a post 9 11 
era, emerging as one of the first countries to offer strong support and 
assistance to the United States. Actively participating in joint 
operations in both Iraq and Afghanistan, Azerbaijan has also extended 
important over-flight clearances of U.S. and NATO flights and provided 
key supply routes to Afghanistan by making available its ground and 
Caspian naval transportation facilities providing ground and naval 
transit for roughly 40 percent of the Coalitions supplies bound for 
Afghanistan.
  As the Co-Chairman of the Congressional Azerbaijan Caucus, it is my 
distinct pleasure to honor the Republic of Azerbaijan in celebration of 
the 94th anniversary of Republic Day and to recognize the valuable 
bilateral relationship between the United States and Azerbaijan. I also 
encourage my colleagues who are interested in supporting Azerbaijan to 
join me as a member of Congressional Azerbaijan Caucus, a bipartisan 
group of more than 50 Members of Congress working to help foster the 
growing partnership between the United States and Azerbaijan and to 
advance U.S. interests in this pivotal region.

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