[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 91 (Monday, June 4, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Page S2964]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJAN

  Mr. WICKER. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to the 
Republic of Azerbaijan, which celebrated the 100th anniversary of its 
declaration of independence on May 28.
  The United States was one of the first countries to recognize 
Azerbaijan's independence. The country faced horrific challenges when 
it was invaded by the Bolsheviks in 1920 and later incorporated into 
the Soviet Union. With the end of the Cold War and the demise of the 
USSR, Azerbaijan once again achieved its independence on August 30, 
1991. Our country recognized Azerbaijan's independence that same year 
and established diplomatic relations with the Republic of Azerbaijan on 
February 19, 1992.
  Azerbaijan is a key security partner of the United States. For 
example, Azerbaijani troops have served in Afghanistan since 2002 to 
assist the United States and our partners in NATO. Additionally, the 
country supports the United States through the Northern Distribution 
Network, which allows for the transit of nonlethal supplies through 
Azerbaijan's territory to our forces in Afghanistan and permits the 
overflight through its airspace of U.S. military personnel heading to 
Afghanistan.
  Azerbaijan also stands as an example of a secular, Muslim-majority 
country that has excellent relations with its own Jewish community and 
has maintained diplomatic relations with our strong ally, Israel, for 
over 25 years.
  Through the Southern Gas Corridor, Azerbaijan will provide energy to 
our allies in Europe, thus lessening the continent's reliance on Russia 
for gas.
  For this and many other reasons, I commend the Republic of Azerbaijan 
and its people on this significant anniversary.

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