The Washington State Senate has passed a resolution expressing strong support to Azerbaijan and its friendship with the United States.
Co-sponsored by 25 Republican and Democratic senators (out of a total of 49), this marks the first time that the Washington Legislature has adopted a resolution on Azerbaijan, Azerbaijan’s Consulate General in Los Angeles said.
The resolution, passed on April 9, was presented to Nasimi Aghayev, the Consul General of Azerbaijan in Los Angeles, who was present at the floor session of the Senate.
Before the passage of the resolution, many senators, both Republicans and Democrats, stood up in support of the resolution, calling Azerbaijan a rapidly developing, tolerant, secular country and an important ally of the U.S. They also highlighted the contributions of Azerbaijan to fighting international terrorism.
Passed unanimously, the resolution noted that the people of Azerbaijan established in 1918 “the first secular democracy in the Islamic world,” and that “Azerbaijan is today a staunch ally and partner of the U.S.”
The document also mentioned that Azerbaijan and U.S. “share a strong commitment to diversifying energy supplies, fighting terrorism, and promoting regional security”. It further said “possessing vast oil and gas resources, Azerbaijan contributes to the energy security of the United States and its European allies and is a critical element of the “Southern Corridor,” which will further enhance diversification of energy supplies to our European allies”.
Noting that “Azerbaijan has consolidated its sovereignty and independence and has become one of the most rapidly developing countries in the world and the biggest U.S. trade partner in the South Caucasus,” the resolution also mentioned “Azerbaijan has become a major regional partner of such Washington-based companies as Boeing and Microsoft, and has signed multibillion dollar contracts that have created thousands of new American jobs in Washington”.
Expressing the support of the Washington Senate for the Azerbaijan-U.S. strategic partnership and friendship, the resolution concludes by noting that “it is critical for the U.S. to further strengthen relations with its allies, such as Azerbaijan, to advance the common interests”.
During his visit to Washington, Aghayev also met with Brad Owen, Lieutenant Governor of Washington, as well as spoke to all members of the State House Republican and Democratic Caucuses and of the State Senate Republican Caucus.
The text of the resolution is available here: http://goo.gl/ghndkH
The video of the resolution’s adoption can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/ZdxdbgJkAaI
Since Azerbaijan’s emergence as an independent nation in 1991, the U.S.-Azerbaijan relationship has evolved into a strategic partnership based on mutual interests and common values.
At present, Azerbaijan-U.S. relations are developing rapidly.

AzerNews