Embassy Information

Embassy Mission Statement

The success of Azerbaijan is important to US national security. Its success is essential if this region is to achieve peace, stability and prosperity. Failure would greatly increase the likelihood of renewed regional conflicts and instability, and it could expose the United States and the world to new terrorist and other transnational threats that feed off poverty, instability and violence. To help this country succeed and to advance global US goals, our top priorities are:

• strengthening effective governance against terrorism and other threats to international peace and security;
• requiring cooperation among countries in the region and fostering peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia;
• leveraging our support for Caspian basin energy access to international markets in order to strengthen economic management and foster prosperity; and
• pushing genuine democratization as the guarantor of long-term stability, especially in light of anticipated leadership changes in coming years.

Counter-Terrorism: Poised between Russia, Iran, Armenia, Turkey and the Caspian Sea, this country is key to long-term prosperity and stability throughout the Caucasus and Central Asia. Ensuring that Azerbaijan cooperates with us in the struggle against terrorism and other transnational threats is our highest priority. This means strengthening Azerbaijani security institutions to work with us against threats posed by international terrorist organizations and destabilizing influences, including Iran. Key efforts include military-to-military cooperation to modernize the military and integrate it with NATO through the Partnership for Peace; a new law enforcement assistance and modernization program; and aid to the Border Guards. Implementation of assistance initiated following the President's waiver of FREEDOM Support Act Section 907 has been slow. Work needs to be accelerated; efforts must now expand beyond seminars and conferences to real, hands-on engagement and material aid; and greater coordination among the alphabet soup of USG agencies working in these areas must be achieved.

Regional Peace: Renewed hostilities between Azerbaijan and Armenia would imperil our bilateral cooperation here in virtually every area. The current 'no peace/no war' situation is inherently unstable and makes both countries fertile ground for extremist ideologies that could threaten our interests. US efforts focus on the OSCE Minsk Group and bilateral work with the leadership and public here to prod them toward a lasting settlement. We supplement this by facilitating GOAJ cooperation on energy, security and other projects with Georgia, within GUUAM, and with Kazakhstan (on energy exports).

Energy and Market Economic Reform: Developing energy resources in Azerbaijan and the Caspian basin and facilitating the infrastructure to get those resources to international markets are significant components of US efforts to reduce global dependence on Gulf oil. US and other Western firms are currently investing billions of dollars to develop those resources. The Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil and Baku-Erzerum gas pipelines are now viable commercial projects being pursued effectively by Western investors. Keeping these projects on a path to successful completion in 2005-2007 remains a high priority.

Soon to earn real money from its energy resources, Azerbaijan now more than ever needs effective economic reform to ensure its wealth will be wisely used. Poverty alleviation, especially among Azerbaijan's refugee/IDP population of over 800,000, is an urgent issue. The waiver of Section 907 gave us new tools to bring about reform. Key issues include improving the investment climate; bolstering sound governance, effective economic institutions and transparency; building markets in the agricultural/rural sector of the economy, where the greatest short-term gains can be made in creating jobs and increasing incomes; and promoting Azerbaijan's accession to the World Trade Organization.

Democracy, Civil Society and Rule of Law: Stability and prosperity will not be achieved or last long without strengthened democratic institutions, the rule of law, civil society and respect for human rights. Azerbaijan has yet to experience an election that meets international standards, and the importance of strengthened democratic institutions will become apparent as leadership change takes place in coming years. US assistance programs in support of political party development, independent media, NGO development and legal reform must continue to be bolstered by high-level political dialogue. We can achieve greater impact by working in tandem with the OSCE, Council of Europe, and key European countries.