WASHINGTON, U.S., March 10. Azerbaijan is a
natural partner for expanding trade and strategic cooperation ,said
Jeffrey Kessler, Under Secretary for Industry and Security, U.S.
Department of Commerce, Trend's special corespondent reports.
He made the remarks during the U.S.-Azerbaijan Trade and
Business Conference, dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the
U.S.-Azerbaijan Chamber of Commerce (USACC).
“Economic cooperation strengthens shared prosperity and national
security. And that basic understanding, has been essential in
bringing business leaders and policymakers together successfully.
As events unfold around and throughout the region, we're reminded
that stronger connections and trusted partnerships are essential
for reinforcing peace, stability, and resilience. Under the last
administration, as we heard, relations were strained, bilateral
relations were strained, which made it difficult for the private
sector to engage fully. Now, the relationship between our two
countries is stronger than ever. Already in the past year alone,
U.S. exports to Azerbaijan increased by 54%, and the U.S. trade
surplus with Azerbaijan increased a basic 231%,” he said.
Kessler noted that Azerbaijan has a strategic location, has
strategic significance, sitting at a crossroads between Europe,
Central Asia, and the Middle East, and is a natural partner for
expanding trade and strategic cooperation at a critical moment in
history.
“The initialing of the text of the peace agreement between
Azerbaijan and Armenia that President Donald Trump brokered only
underscores this. The agreement created a foundation of stability
and opened the door to economic partnerships across the region and
the Trump route for international peace and prosperity in the trip.
TRIPP will connect markets and serve as a powerful alternative
route to avoid our shared adversaries and strengthen cooperation. I
also want to thank the USACC for advancing engagement in industries
like critical minerals and information communications technology as
well as many services industries, which I know are represented here
by many of the companies in the room, and all of which are so vital
to U.S. national security, as well as energy. Energy should not go
unnoticed. The Department of Commerce looks forward to working with
all of our partners in the U.S. business community and in
Azerbaijan, to ensure that all of these sensitive technologies and
strategic industries are used responsibly and shipped in our shared
supply chains,” he added.
