"During today`s meeting we will discuss bilateral relationship between our countries," President Aliyev said.
He stressed that agenda of the forum is very broad and covers many areas of bilateral cooperation.
"I am sure that open and frank discussion on these issues will create better understanding, and will allow us to identify new areas of cooperation, and at the same time to strengthen partnership in the strategic areas where we work jointly for many years," he said.
US-Azerbaijan relationship has great history, not a big one, but very important, he emphasized.
"Since early years of our independence, we established a strong partnership relationship, which transformed into a strategic one. We have very close political contacts, our political dialogue on high level is very active. We have various contacts in economic cooperation, trade, investments," President Aliyev said.
He said the two countries cooperate in the areas of energy security, economic diversification, and political reforms.
"Cooperation in security area is also very important for both countries. And I am glad that now this cooperation enters new stage. We are working together on issues of global security. Our soldiers, shoulder-to-shoulder provide assistance and support to Afghanistan. Azerbaijan provides almost 40 percent of transit to Afghanistan and the Northern distribution network is considered to be one of the most reliable and stable," President Aliyev said.
President Ilham Aliyev said that Azerbaijan`s relationship with NATO can also be considered as part of bilateral relationship, which is becoming stronger and stronger.
"Azerbaijan is a reliable partner in this region, and proved many times not only by statements but also by practical steps, that we highly value this level of cooperation," he said.
The President expressed confidence that in the coming years, the issues of regional security will always be in the center of general discussions.
"Azerbaijan and the U.S. work very actively on the issues related to counter terrorism," President Aliyev underscored.
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