His Excellency Mr Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Dear Mr President,

I would like to cordially congratulate you on your recent re-election as President of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

I recall very fondly my years in Baku working with you on the Early Oil Project for Azerbaijan International Oil Company. You always kept the interests of Azerbaijan paramount in helping AIOC get started and successfully deliver its mission.

The Early Oil Project was an experiment to prove that western oil companies could operate successfully in a former Soviet republic. The successful Early Oil Project led to investment and development in Azerbaijan. The leadership of your father, His Excellency Heydar Aliyev and you as President of the Republic was critical to attracting the foreign investment for the ACG full field development, the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan main export pipeline, the development of Shah Deniz gas field and the Southern Gas Corridor. The oil and gas revenues have spurred rapid economic development in all sectors of Azerbaijan’s economy including finance, real estate, telecommunications and other services.

I left Baku in 1997 at the end of my assignment for the Early Oil Project, but have returned in 2004, 2006, 2009, 2011 and 2014. Each time I visit Azerbaijan after a few years. the economic progress of the national economy and the whole positive transformation of the country is very noticeable. I am also very impressed with the State Oil Fund that has invested wealth for the benefit of future generations.

I have been honored to serve as Honorary Consul of Azerbaijan in New Mexico since 2010. Thank you for giving me this opportunity to serve the interests of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Over the years since my appointment, Azerbaijan and New Mexico have built a strong and mutually beneficial relationship. The State Legislature of New Mexico has passed numerous resolutions supporting Azerbaijan-U.S. strategic partnership, recognizing Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity, and condemning the Khojaly Massacre and the illegal occupation and ethnic cleansing of Azerbaijan’s sovereign territory by Armenia. During this time, I have been privileged to meet many elected officials of New Mexico, work with and arrange several visits of Azerbaijan’s Los Angeles Consul General to Santa Fe, speak about Azerbaijan in public meetings and organize some trade/cultural/educational exchanges. In January 2018, I was present when the New Mexico House of Representatives passed a historic resolution celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic.

Congratulations again. I wish you a very successful Presidential term. I understand that you have a very demanding schedule, but I would be much honored to be able to meet with you again the next time I visit Baku.

Sincerely yours,

Art McHaffie

Honorary Consul of the Republic of Azerbaijan in New Mexico