Azerbaijan, Baku, April 28 / Trend, E. Tariverdiyeva /
Azerbaijan is among the most loyal U.S. allies in the world, Congressman Bill Shuster said in an interview with the European Service of Radio Liberty on the eve of a visit by a delegation of congressmen to Azerbaijan.
"We are grateful to the Azerbaijani Government and President Ilham Aliyev for the friendship and for remaining our allies since the collapse of the Soviet Union. Azerbaijan is one of our most loyal allies in the world," Shuster said.
A delegation of the U.S. Congress headed by Congressman Bill Schuster arrived in Baku on Wednesday. Besides Shuster, Chris Murphy, Sean Duffy, Adam Kinzinger, Cedric Richmond and Jon Runyan are also represented in the delegation.
The delegation of the U.S. Congress will discuss bilateral relations in Baku.
Shuster said that the delegation will hold meetings with government officials and is expected to meet with President Ilham Aliyev.
"One needs to make sure that democratic institutions in Azerbaijan are working in accordance with the norm and the elections are held freely and fairly, because the American people will gauge our alliance on this basis," Shuster said.
"We will inform the Azerbaijani side that the U.S. values its loyal ally - Azerbaijan," Shuster said.
Congressman Murphy said that the visit of the delegation of congressmen to Azerbaijan is very important, as Azerbaijan is an important country in terms of political positioning but doesn't often receive sufficient attention from the United States Congress.
"This visit will provide an opportunity for a group of Republicans and Democrats to stand for the development of relations with Azerbaijan based on greater mutual understanding after returning home, as well as the opportunity to express support for the country," Murphy said.