[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 20686-20687]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             15TH ANNIVERSARY OF AZERBAIJAN'S INDEPENDENCE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ROBERT WEXLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 28, 2006

  Mr. WEXLER. Mr. Speaker, on October 18, 2006 Azerbaijan will 
celebrate the 15th Anniversary of its re-independence. As members of 
Congress recognize this important occasion, I think it is essential to 
point out the remarkable strength, determination and ingenuity of 
Azerbaijanis who have taken difficult steps to transform their country 
over the last 15 years.
  One of the most significant developments contributing to Azerbaijan's 
transformation is its ever-evolving relationship with the United 
States. While U.S.-Azerbaijani relations date back to Azerbaijan's 
independence from the former Soviet Union in 1991, our relations were 
elevated to the level of strategic partnership after September 11, 
2001. Given the myriad of global challenges facing the United States, 
Azerbaijan, which is geostrategically located, has become an invaluable 
ally of America and a partner in the war against terrorism.
  The US-Azerbaijani relationship is mutually beneficial and 
multifaceted, particularly as it relates to defense and security 
cooperation. Azerbaijan was the first Muslim majority nation to send 
troops to Iraq, and Azerbaijani soldiers currently serve shoulder-to-
shoulder with American forces in Kosovo and Afghanistan. Azerbaijan is 
also working with the U.S. multilaterally, within the framework of the 
Organization for Democracy and Development--GUAM (Georgia, Ukraine, 
Azerbaijan and Moldova) to fight against terrorism, prevent trans-
national and cross-border crimes, and to secure borders, thus 
contributing to international counter-terrorism and non-proliferation 
efforts.
  One of Azerbaijan's main foreign policy priorities, which I fully 
support, is its integration into the European and Euro-Atlantic 
political, security and economic institutions, a journey that began 
with the signing of the NATO's Partnership for Peace Framework document 
in

[[Page 20687]]

1994. Now Azerbaijan is completing the implementation process of NATO's 
Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP) and actively participates in 
Partnership Action Plan against Terrorism (PAP-T). The country enjoys 
full membership in OSCE and Council of Europe. Azerbaijan also closely 
cooperates with the European Union (EU) and is looking to successfully 
move forward on the EU-Azerbaijan Action Plan and its New Neighborhood 
initiatives.
  Azerbaijan is aggressively moving to diversify its economy to achieve 
sustainable growth and meet the social and development needs of its 
population. A key partner in developing and transporting Caspian Sea 
resources to the West, Azerbaijan encourages western and especially 
American investments and involvement in the region.
  Since 1991, Azerbaijan has taken steps to change its legal and 
legislative structure to foster a democratic society based on rule of 
law, respect for political and civil rights. While Azerbaijan has made 
progress, I stand with the Bush administration in urging President 
Ilham Aliyev's government to take additional steps to expand political 
pluralism, strengthen democratic institutions and continue to reform 
its electoral system. As a friend of Azerbaijan, I believe that further 
democratic progress would only serve to strengthen this partnership and 
the ties that have been forged over the past 15 years.
  Once again, I want to congratulate the people and government of 
Azerbaijan on this historic milestone and look forward to working with 
President Aliyev and my counterparts in Baku to strengthen the 
relationship between our two nations.

                          ____________________