President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev today has received the US delegation led by Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Kathleen Hicks.
Expressing satisfaction with her first visit to Azerbaijan, Principal Deputy Under US Secretary of Defense for Policy Kathleen Hicks said the capital of the country made a deep impression on her. The US official said her country highly praises participation of Azerbaijan`s peacekeeping mission in Afghanistan and its contribution.
Mrs Kathleen Hicks said the United States is interested in further boosting bilateral defense ties and to reach them to the level of strategic cooperation. She stressed significance of exchange of views related to defining directions of the cooperation between the two countries.
In turn, the head of state expressed satisfaction with the development of the bilateral relations in numerous fields between Azerbaijan and US, adding, the two countries` defense cooperation have a long history.
Noting the role of defense cooperation in development of the bilateral relations, President Ilham Aliyev stressed importance of this cooperation in terms of strengthening regional and energy security, as well as stability. The Azerbaijani President expressed assurance that the relationship between Azerbaijan and the United States will further expand in various areas, including the defense sphere.

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