[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 153 (Wednesday, October 30, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Page S7668]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       CONGRATULATING AZERBAIJAN

  Mr. BURR. Mr President, today I wish to congratulate and offer my 
support and encouragement to the people and government of Azerbaijan. 
On October 9 Azerbaijanis overwhelmingly reelected President Aliyev to 
a third five year term in only their fifth Presidential election since 
Azerbaijan gained its independence in 1991.
  I, along with several of my colleagues, met privately with President 
Aliyev in Baku several months ago to discuss the great challenges 
facing Azerbaijan, the United States, and our allies in the region.
  I took this opportunity to personally thank President Aliyev, his 
government, and the Azerbaijani people for their unwavering support for 
the United States government and its people.
  President Aliyev was among the first few foreign leaders to call 
President Bush immediately after the attacks on 9/11 to offer his 
country's prayers and tangible support at a time of great crisis in our 
Nation.
  The United States and Azerbaijan share many common strategic 
interests. Azerbaijan plays a vital role in efforts ranging from 
counter-terrorism, energy security, to the transit of U.S. and NATO 
supplies to and from Afghanistan.
  As an important partner in the region, Azerbaijan is an active 
participant in NATO's Partnership for Peace program and was among the 
first nations to militarily support American led efforts in Iraq and 
Afghanistan.
  Azerbaijan's stability and prosperity in the South Caucasus, along 
with its continued commitment to democratic reforms, will serve as an 
important beacon of hope in a complex region.

                          ____________________