Baku lauds U.S. efforts to normalize Azerbaijani-Armenian relations - Aliyev

BAKU. July 4 (Interfax) - Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has congratulated U.S. President Joe Biden on Independence Day and lauded U.S. efforts to normalize Azerbaijani-Armenian relations.

"Presently, a favorable environment has emerged for ushering in lasting peace in the South Caucasus. We highly appreciate the efforts by the U.S. in normalizing Armenia-Azerbaijan relations and the process of preparing the peace agreement based on the norms and principles of international law," Aliyev said in a message published on the Azerbaijani presidential website on Tuesday.

He hailed bilateral energy cooperation, saying, "the United States has remained a resolute and steadfast supporter of Azerbaijan's energy policy at every phase. We especially value the close cooperation between our nations in ensuring energy security and the U.S.'s comprehensive support for large-scale transnational projects implemented by us."

Aliyev reaffirmed Baku's aspiration to broaden cooperation with Washington.

"Today, we are determined to capitalize on the substantial potential of joint activity across a number of domains and further expand our ties with the U.S. I am confident that we will continue our consistent efforts to develop and solidify the Azerbaijan-U.S. partnership, stemming from mutual trust and support, in line with the interests of our states and for the sake of prosperity of our peoples," Aliyev said.