Madame Chairperson,

We would like to thank Foreign Minister Guliyev for coming here to address the OSCE. I would like to assure him that he is ably represented here on a continuous basis by Ambassador Sadiqov and his team. But his presence signals to all of us the importance he attaches to the OSCE and its principles, just as Foreign Minister Ferrero-Waldner’s upcoming visit to Azerbaijan reflects the importance of Azerbaijan and its challenges to the OSCE.

We applaud the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, which will allow the OSCE’s newest field presence to open in Baku. We look forward to the speedy opening of this office, and a constructive—and productive—working relationship with Azerbaijan. The Baku office will better enable the OSCE more completely to consider the issues in the region, many of which transcend national boundaries.

We are pleased to note passage by Azerbaijan’s Parliament of a new law on the Central Election Commission, which ODIHR has declared to be in line with international standards. This law represents a significant advance compared with previous legislation; we commend the Government of Azerbaijan for its willingness to cooperate with the OSCE in the law’s drafting.

This fall’s election can serve as an important demonstration of Azerbaijan’s commitment to democracy. We encourage your Government to build upon the momentum created by the recent adoption of the Central Election Commission law by making similar improvements in the parliamentary election law. We encourage Azerbaijan to continue the democratic process it has begun, leading to free and fair elections this fall.

Mr. Minister, like you and others around this table, we, too, are concerned about the still-unresolved conflict surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh. As you are very well aware, the US, like France and the Russian Federation, is a Co-Chair of the Minsk Group. We have been toiling with you to facilitate a solution which is acceptable to all parties. If that work is to be successful, it must be joint and consistent work—the Co-Chairs working hand-in-hand with the parties—in pursuit of a durable peace.

Just as in Istanbul, we applaud in particular the intensified dialogue between your President and the President of Armenia. President Aliyev and President Kocharian and believe those regular contacts can create opportunities to find a lasting and comprehensive solution to the problem.

We hope the Chairperson-in-Office’s trip to the region in two weeks will underscore the OSCE’s commitment to finding a solution. We remain committed not only to helping with the negotiations, but also to help with the implementation of an agreement once it is reached.

We look forward to a continuing and productive relationship between the OSCE and your Government.

Thank you, Madame Chairperson.