The senator first conveyed his congratulations to the head of state on the occasion of Azerbaijan’s Independence Day. Steve Daines noted the significant potential for the further development of friendly and partnership relations between the United States and Azerbaijan.
Recalling that American and Azerbaijani soldiers served side by side in Afghanistan, and that Azerbaijani peacekeepers, responsible for security at Kabul Airport, were the last military contingent to leave the country, Daines emphasized the important role Azerbaijani troops played in the evacuation of civilians and military personnel. He expressed his sincere gratitude for this contribution.
Daines stated that he attaches great importance to the development of U.S. relations with Azerbaijan and the countries of Central Asia, underlining that there are ample opportunities in this area. He also highlighted the importance of intensifying Senate visits to Azerbaijan and Central Asian countries.
Ilham Aliyev expressed his gratitude for the Independence Day congratulations and noted his appreciation for the congratulatory letter sent by U.S. President Donald Trump on this occasion. President Aliyev said that, as mentioned in the letter, there are broad opportunities to further develop Azerbaijan-U.S. relations in the fields of security, energy, and trade and economy.
The head of state also emphasized that Donald Trump’s attention to the development of relations with Azerbaijan during his first presidential term is commendable.
The meeting noted that Azerbaijan, thanks to its transport infrastructure and political ties with regional countries, has become one of the main logistical hubs of the Eurasian region, and highlighted Azerbaijan’s role in the development of the Middle Corridor. The sides also exchanged views on other issues of mutual interest. At the end of the meeting, Senator Steve Daines presented a commemorative gift to President Ilham Aliyev.
Senator Steve Daines is a staunch supporter of President Donald Trump, although he is more often seen as a traditional Republican. Daines also advocates for expanding energy cooperation between Central Asian republics and the United States. Just a few days ago, during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, Daines asked Secretary of State Marco Rubio whether the Trans-Caspian Gas Pipeline project aligns with U.S. interests. He called on the Trump administration to support the construction of the Trans-Caspian pipeline — “just 20 miles” — for transporting Turkmen gas to Europe via Azerbaijan (note: the actual length of the pipeline is about 300 kilometers, or roughly 200 miles – editor).
Several months ago, in November of last year, Steve Daines visited Ashgabat and Dushanbe. During a meeting with Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, he discussed expanding bilateral cooperation between the United States and Turkmenistan, including the possibility of delivering Turkmen gas to European markets.
The senator has also visited other Central Asian republics. During the Senate hearing, he told the Secretary of State that all leaders in the region were pleased with the outcome of the U.S. presidential elections last November and are seeking closer ties with the Trump administration.
