U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan Matthew Bryza hosted Monday an official commemoration of the tenth anniversary of the September 11 terror attacks on New York and Washington DC.
The event was attended by Azerbaijani officials, including Deputy Foreign Minister, rector of the Diplomatic Academy, Hafiz Pashayev, Head of the Foreign Relations Department of the Presidential Administration, Novruz Mammadov, diplomatic representatives of Coalition partners fighting in and rebuilding Afghanistan, as well as countries providing essential transportation support to international efforts in Afghanistan and assisting the fight against terror.
Ambassador Bryza laid a wreath to the memory of all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the fight against terror. A U.S. Naval Forces Europe Military Band performed Taps in honor of the fallen.
Ambassador Bryza praised the solidarity that has emerged since the attacks, telling attendees that thanks to shared efforts, all nations have emerged safer. Bryza told attendees "as an international community, we have shown that terrorists and the ideological extremists who drive them are no match for the strength and resilience of our citizens."
Ambassador Bryza recalled that while working in the White House on 9/11, less than 24 hours after the attacks he received word that President Heydar Aliyev had offered the United States unlimited over flight permission for non-military aircraft. "That immediate expression of solidarity meant a great deal to all of us in the White House that day, including our President." Bryza added "thanks to Azerbaijan, we knew we would not stand alone, but in solidarity with friends who reached out to us at our greatest moment of need."
Bryza praised Azerbaijan and other ISAF contributing nations for their contributions in Afghanistan. He noted Azerbaijan and neighboring nations` key role in the transport of non-lethal supplies to support the international security and rebuilding effort in Afghanistan.

AzerTAc