AzerNews.

Agreement on military cooperation between Azerbaijan and the United States is extended for another five years.

The news was announced at a meeting of the parliamentary committee on security and defense on December 18.

Speaking at the meeting, Chairman of the committee Ziyafet Askerov announced the bills on the approval of the “Mutual services and equipment acquisition between the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Defense of USA” agreement (USA-AZE-02) and the amendments to the “Charter of the garrison and guard services of the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan” approved by Azerbaijan’s No. 886 law dated September 23, 1994.

“Signed between Azerbaijan and the U.S., the agreement was approved in 2003,” Askerov said.

The ten-year agreement was signed between the countries to facilitate mutual logistic support.

The agreement with the U.S. expires this month, and the bill on extending its term with some modifications was submitted to the parliament, Asgarov said.

It was also noted that the second bill relates to the application of the law “On the rights and freedoms of persons in custody.”

After the meeting, both bills were submitted for discussion at the plenary session of the Azerbaijani Parliament.

Azerbaijan and the U.S. have common values and interests. Both nations are at the forefront of driving regional security, economic and energy development, diversity and inclusiveness. Under President Ilham Aliyev’s leadership, Azerbaijan has emerged as America’s reliable regional partner at the world’s critical crossroads, and Azerbaijani servicemen serve shoulder-to-shoulder with American soldiers in Afghanistan.

The roots of U.S.-Azerbaijan joint operations run deep. The Azerbaijani military has also assisted over the years in American-led efforts in Iraq and the Balkans.

Azerbaijan is an active contributor to the international anti-terror efforts. Azerbaijan and the U.S. work together to counter nuclear proliferation and drug trafficking, and promote security in the wider Caspian region and beyond. Azerbaijan’s military has also developed a fruitful cooperative State Partnership program with the Oklahoma National Guard.

Azerbaijan enjoys strong relations with Capitol Hill. The Congressional Azerbaijan Caucus has played an important role in fostering the growing partnership between the U.S. and Azerbaijan, and advancing the U.S. interests in the pivotal Caspian region. In recent years, Azerbaijan has intensified its outreach at the state and local levels.

Today, in addition to the Embassy in Washington, Azerbaijan operates a Consulate General in Los Angeles and an Honorary Consulate in Santa Fe.