Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb.18
By Elmira Tariverdiyeva - Trend:
Once in a while, we learn of nations, including Azerbaijan, who have a very different outlook and whose actions we would not necessarily expect...actions from which the U.S. can learn and apply to its own dealings, Jason Katz, principal of TSG, LLC, a consultancy that advises foreign governments wrote in an influential American newspaper The Hill.
"Over the past several years, as the U.S. has found it necessary to develop close relationships with nations who are ready and can serve as REAL allies. As such, the American public has started to hear quite a lot about the Republic of Azerbaijan," Katz wrote.
Azerbaijan is a former Soviet republic that emerged from the ashes of the Soviet Union a mere 22 years ago and has since set upon building a working democracy, the author wrote.
Azerbaijan is majority-Muslim, yet staunchly secular and notably tolerant of its many ethnicities, religions, Katz wrote.
There are many churches and synagogues in Azerbaijan and faith communities are free to practice as they see fit, according to the author.
The U.S. can learn much from a nation like Azerbaijan and in particular its relationship with Israel, Katz wrote.
Nations must choose friends wisely and be faithful to them, according to the author.