Opening of our mission- Azerbaijan’s first at the West Coast – is another milestone in the rapidly developing U.S.- Azerbaijan bilateral ties. As this relationship grows stronger, so does the recognition of America’s richness and diversity as well as the West Coast’s importance in global affairs. Also growing is the strategic role of the Republic of Azerbaijan, described as a “key ally” by President George W. Bush.
Standing at the crossroads of cultures and civilizations, Azerbaijan, a key juncture along the ancient Silk Road, is a home to an inclusive society proud of its diversity. From the alpine peaks and deep canyons of the Caucasus mountains to subtropical forests of Lenkaran to the shores of the Caspian Sea, the unique variety of Azerbaijan’s nature continues to inspire its poets and musicians – heirs to the heritage of the great Nizami Ganjavi and masters of the mysterious music of Mugham. The Azerbaijanis are passionate about culture with the deep-rooted tradition of music being, perhaps, the most characteristic feature of our nation. It is only natural then that the first opera in the Muslim world- an adaptation of the East’s epic love story “Leyli and Mejnun” – was written and performed in Azerbaijan in 1908.
On May 28, 1918 independent Azerbaijan emerged as the first parliamentary republic in the Muslim world. It was crushed in 1920 by the Bolshevik invasion, yet during its short existence, the Republic became the symbol of the Azerbaijani identity and the nation’s aspirations granting to its citizens already in 1918 equal rights regardless of their ethnic or religious affiliation as well as equal voting rights to men and women. Today, the citizens of the Republic of Azerbaijan, which restored its statehood in 1991, are proud of this heritage.
Led by Ilham Aliyev, a reformist president, Azerbaijan has emerged as America’s reliable regional partner and a key member of Euro-Atlantic initiatives. Azerbaijani servicemen serve shoulder- to- shoulder with American soldiers in Afghanistan, the Balkans and in Iraq and the nation is an active participant of the international anti-terror efforts. Both a member of the Council of Europe and the 2006 chair country of the Organization of Islamic Conference, the Republic of Azerbaijan is in a unique position to bridge divides and to promote greater understanding.
Yet, as Azerbaijan works with its partners within the international community to address the global challenges, it is also struggling to overcome the devastating consequences of an armed aggression by neighboring Armenia and the occupation of 20% of the internationally recognized Azerbaijani territory by Armenian forces. In spite of numerous international decisions, including a number of UN Security Council resolutions calling for the withdrawal of Armenian troops, Armenia continues its policy of total ethnic cleansing having forced about 1 million innocent civilians into exile. As a result, Azerbaijan has been hosting displaced communities, whose only ‘crime’ was not being Armenian, for over 15 years. Still unresolved, the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict remains a major threat to peace in the region, a bleeding wound for Azerbaijan and a challenge for Armenia’s own future.
Azerbaijan is widely known for its oil. Indeed, home to world’s first oil boom in early 20th century, for many the capital city of Baku is synonymous with oil exploration. Soon after independence, Azerbaijan once again pioneered development of the Caspian energy resources under leadership of the late President Heydar Aliyev, whose vision and foresight has transformed both Azerbaijan and the entire Caspian region. If in 1994, it was Heydar Aliyev, who secured then largest single foreign investment in the former Soviet Union – an oil contract, which later became known as the “Deal of the Century,” the most significant infrastructure project in the region – the strategic Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline- was successfully completed by Azerbaijan’s new dynamic President Ilham Aliyev. This project, which is strongly supported by the United States, will bring prosperity to Azerbaijan and its partners in the region while enhancing security and stability in the region by establishing the backbone of the East-West energy corridor. Importantly, the pipeline, along with other Caspian initiatives, also contributes to enhancing the global energy security.
At the same time, the Government’s vision is not limited to oil alone and it is paying a special attention to developing Azerbaijan’s economy outside the energy sector, an endeavor, in which the West Coast’s experience in areas from agriculture to alternative energy to developing new technologies can be especially valuable.
Azerbaijan offers a great promise and we invite our friends and colleagues to partake in it. As you learn more about our country and build your partnerships with Azerbaijani colleagues, all of us at the Consulate General stand ready to assist with your needs.
Come visit Azerbaijan! Enjoy our nature, listen to our music and taste our cuisine and, most importantly, build new friendships and meet our people.
Elin Suleymanov
Consul General
