The repeal of Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act can be discussed in the course of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyevs official visit to the United States, Congressman James Kolbi, the chairman of the sub-committee on foreign assignments, stated to a news conference in Baku on 13 April.
During the visit the Azerbaijani President will have an opportunity for meetings the Congressmen, while final resolution on the repeal of the section will depend on the Committee on foreign assignments. Section 907 can also be fully repealed until the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Moreover, the key point is not repeal of Section 907, but is that it has been waived for 5 years in succession.
Concerning the reasons for non-inclusion of Azerbaijan in the program Millennium Challenges Kolbi said that while selecting the claimants the key attention was paid to quality of government in the country and level of corruption (on the base of data by international organizations). The Congressman noted the steps taken in Azerbaijan in this direction and his impatience for the time when Azerbaijan will meet the necessary requirements. Until it occurs, the United States intends to assist Azerbaijan in the military sector, in the development of democracy and health.
Kolbi said that during short stay in Baku he held meetings at the Foreign Ministry, parliament, non-governmental organizations, and representatives of the Armed Forces and peacekeeping contingent in Iraq. He expressed his gratitude to Azerbaijan for an important role in fighting with the international terror and peacemaking operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.