US assistant secretary to visit Azerbaijan

US Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs Karen Donfried will tour the South Caucasus on June 14-19, Report informs referring to the website of the US State Department.

“Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs Dr. Karen Donfried will travel to Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Armenia June 14 to 19 to emphasize the US commitment to peace, democracy, and prosperity in the South Caucasus region. Marking the 30th anniversaries of diplomatic relations with all three countries, Assistant Secretary Donfried will emphasize US support for their sovereignty and independence, underscoring the right of Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Armenia to chart their own paths. She also will highlight the readiness of the United States to help build a lasting peace in the South Caucasus, including by supporting the development of political, economic, and people-to-people connections across the entire region,” reads the message.

“Donfried will visit Baku, Azerbaijan, on June 15 and 16, where she will meet with President Ilham Aliyev, other government officials, and civil society members. The Assistant Secretary will underscore US support for the diplomatic efforts between Azerbaijan and Armenia toward a lasting peace, thank Azerbaijan for humanitarian support to Ukraine, and highlight the partnership in promoting European energy security, combatting transnational threats, supporting fundamental freedoms, and advancing bilateral trade and investment.”

“On June 17, Assistant Secretary Donfried will visit Tbilisi, Georgia, where she will give remarks at the Tbilisi Women’s International Conference organized by President Salome Zourabichvili. Donfried will also meet with Prime Minister Garibashvili and other government officials, opposition representatives, and civil society representatives in Tbilisi to discuss the Kremlin’s unprovoked war against Ukraine, and steadfast US support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders,” the US State Department added.

“Assistant Secretary Donfried will then travel to Yerevan, Armenia, on June 18, where she will meet Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and other government officials. The Assistant Secretary will express US support for the diplomatic efforts between Armenia and Azerbaijan towards a lasting peace.”