CONFERENCES REGARDING US-AZERBAIJAN RELATIONS AND NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT HELD IN WASHINGTON DC

APA
Oct 18 2011
Azerbaijan

Washington. Isabel Levine – APA. A conference named “Mutual
understanding over 20 years of U.S.-Azerbaijan Relations: role of
the new generation” took place in the US Capital, October 17, with
participation of top US and Azeri analysts, some former and current
officials, non-governmental organizations, media and Azerbaijani
community, APA’s correspondent reports.

Addressing the event, Azerbaijani top diplomats in the US stated
that Azerbaijan, marking its 20th anniversary of regaining state
independence, has become the most rapidly developing country in the
region. They underlined the strategic partnership between the US
and Azerbaijan adding, the two countries are staying together while
answering the international challenges.

In their turn, the US diplomats expressed their support for the
development of the young country, and appreciated Azerbaijan’s
support in many spheres such as security in the region, international
cooperation, energy diversification and many others.

Policy experts discussed the latest developments in the region, thus
providing their recommendations concerning what can and should be done
by the Obama Administration, US Congress, and allies abroad, as well as
in Azerbaijan to boost and broaden cooperation on all strategic issues.

Meanwhile, another Azerbaijan-related conference regarding the
Nagorno-Karabakh peace process took place at the same day in Carnegie
Endowment for International Peace.

Some analysts from Azerbaijan, Armenia and the US have discussed
different types of Track 2 activities: relations building dialogue.

The experts have addressed such issues as why on the third decade of
the conflict the track 2 activities are viewed? The experts reminded
that the bloody war between Azerbaijan and Armenia took lives of many
innocent. Speaking about the diplomatic efforts, former US Ambassador
to Russia James Collins said not all of the diplomatic resources were
used back then and are used today.

A political scientist from Baku Tabib Huseinov said that often the
diplomats are being blamed in holding the talks behind closed doors,
but as soon as something becomes public, they have to address the
masses instead of each other. The societies of the two countries –
Azerbaijan and Armenia – remain along the two sides of a precipice,
specially, when it comes to understanding the roots of the conflict,
Huseinov added.

During the discussions one representative of the Nagorno-Karabakh
Armenians “Office” in the US, Aram Avetisian tried to accuse
Azerbaijan of making military statements on every day statements. But
a representative of Azerbaijani embassy Nasimi Aghayev reminded that
no such republic as Nagorno-Karabakh exists, and their office isn’t
registered as an embassy, but as a lobbyist organization in the US.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress