Recognizing the 95th Anniversary of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Floor Speech

Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the people of the Republic of Azerbaijan--as they are celebrating the 95th anniversary of the Republic Day on May 28.

The Republic Day commemorates the day Azerbaijan first declared independence from the Russian Empire on May 28, 1918. Though the independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan was ended by occupying Soviet forces in 1920, in its 2 years of independence Azerbaijan made important accomplishments on state-building, armed forces, education, their economy, and universal suffrage, from which it benefits today.

Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Azerbaijan restored its independence in 1991. Parliament adopted the Constitution Act on the Restoration of the State of Independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan on October 18, 1991.

The last two decades of independence has not been without challenges. The territorial integrity of Azerbaijan was violated and the Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding regions of Azerbaijan have been occupied by neighboring Armenia. In 1993 the UN Security Council adopted four resolutions demanding complete, unconditional, and immediate withdrawal of Armenian forces from the occupied territories of Azerbaijan. I am happy that Azerbaijan is committed to peaceful resolution of the conflict with Armenia, and I support a swift, peaceful resolution to this conflict, as well.

Azerbaijan is a key global security partner for the United States. Azerbaijan has extended important over-flight clearances for U.S. and NATO flights to support ISAF and has regularly provided landing and refueling operations at its airports for U.S. and NATO forces. Also, Azerbaijan plays an important role in the Northern Distribution Network, a supply route to Afghanistan, by making available its ground and Caspian naval transportation facilities. Azerbaijan was also the first predominantly Muslim country to send troops to Iraq.

Azerbaijan has opened Caspian energy resources to development by U.S. companies and has emerged as a key player for global energy security. The Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline project is the most successful project contributing to the development of the South Caucasus region and has become the main artery delivering Caspian Sea hydrocarbons to the U.S. and our partners in Europe. Notably, Azerbaijan also provides roughly 40% of Israel's oil consumption. Azerbaijan is considered a leading initiator of the Trans Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP) which will open up the Southern Gas Corridor to Europe. As a co-chair of the Congressional Azerbaijan Caucus, I congratulate the Republic of Azerbaijan on the Republic Day. I believe we will continue to work with them to advance our partnership which benefits both the US and Azerbaijan. I look forward to further collaboration between our two nations.

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