The "Washington Times" has published an article by Azerbaijan's Council General in Los Angeles Elin Suleymanov.
Suleymanov said: "Strong, sustainable partnerships are built on long-term strategic interests and understanding. Herein lies an important challenge the United States faces in Eurasia: Achieving both strategic and tactical goals requires outlook and commitment".
"For instance, the Obama administration's initial focus in the Caucasus has been to push the opening of the Armenia-Turkey border at any cost..." the ambassador said, adding "This is a noble objective, yet, realistically, it can only be achieved through recognizing regional realities and as a part of a wider strategic vision."
"America's own policy in the late 1990s provides a good example. By looking at a wide range of objectives, including energy security, economic development, democratic reforms and security cooperation, the United States built strong versatile partnerships and helped the emerging nations establish themselves as full-fledged members of the international community."
"It is, therefore, a positive step that when Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates was in Baku early last month to discuss security cooperation, the letter he delivered from President Obama emphasized the need to broaden U.S.-Azerbaijani relations in all spheres."
In the article, Suleymanov also touched upon democratic issues in Azerbaijan, saying "Throughout the region, much remains to be done, but the steady progress should not be overlooked. In Azerbaijan, from establishment of the transparency-award-winning State Oil Fund of Azerbaijan to rapidly growing levels of economic development to constantly modernizing social and political institutions."

AzerTAc