Baku says Section 907 no longer fits Azerbaijan-US partnership

Azerbaijan has called for the removal of outdated restrictions in relations with the United States, saying that Section 907 no longer reflects the current level of partnership between Baku and Washington.

The issue was discussed during Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov’s meeting with US Congressman Abraham Hamadeh, who is visiting Azerbaijan.

The sides reviewed the current state of Azerbaijan-US relations and prospects for expanding cooperation. Regional and international security, energy security, transport routes, communication links and developments in the South Caucasus after the conflict were also on the agenda.

Bayramov underlined the importance of last year’s Washington Summit, noting that the agreements reached there gave new momentum to both bilateral relations and regional cooperation. He said the Charter on Strategic Partnership between Azerbaijan and the United States created a strong framework for deeper cooperation in political dialogue, economic ties, energy security and broader security issues.

The meeting also touched on the first Azerbaijan-US Economic Cooperation Dialogue. Within this format, 10 cooperation documents were signed, covering trade, investment, energy, transport, digital development and other areas.

Special attention was paid to the TRIPP project, which is expected to strengthen regional transport and communication links and ensure unobstructed connectivity between mainland Azerbaijan and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.

Discussing the future of Azerbaijan-US relations, the sides emphasized the importance of removing existing barriers to cooperation. In this context, Bayramov said the full repeal of Section 907, which restricts US government assistance to Azerbaijan, would be in line with the spirit of strategic partnership between the two countries.

It was noted that the amendment reflects an outdated approach and does not correspond to today’s geopolitical realities or the current level of relations between Baku and Washington.

Bayramov also briefed the congressman on the normalization process between Azerbaijan and Armenia, as well as reconstruction and development work being carried out in Azerbaijan’s liberated territories.

The sides also exchanged views on other regional and international issues of mutual interest.