BAKU/YEREVAN. July 4 (Interfax) - Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan thanked U.S. President Joe Biden for his support for the process aimed at normalizing relations between the two countries, adding that Azerbaijan and Armenia are committed to further developing their cooperation with the United States, Aliyev and Pashinyan said in their greetings to Biden on the occasion of U.S. Independence Day.
"As the initiator of the five principles that constitute the core of the peace treaty with Armenia, Azerbaijan demonstrates enduring political will in advancing the peace agenda. We commend the United States' commitment to supporting the normalization of relations with Armenia, ensuring lasting peace in the region, and facilitating the preparation of a peace treaty," Aliyev said in his message.
Baku attaches great importance to its long-term and efficient cooperation with Washington in the energy sector, he said.
"We highly appreciate the United States' unwavering support for the realization of Azerbaijan's energy strategy and the implementation of the Southern Gas Corridor, which plays a critical role in ensuring Europe's energy security," he said.
Baku stands ready to continue working together with Washington in all areas of mutual interest, particularly as regards climate change and the green energy transition, Aliyev said.
Pashinyan, for his part, said that "Armenia greatly values the role of the United States in the peace-building process in our region and deeply appreciates the U.S. support for the sovereignty, independence, democracy, territorial integrity and inviolability of the borders of the Republic of Armenia in accordance with the 1991 Almaty declaration."
"The multi-layered and close ties between Armenia and the United States, the significant growth and development of cooperation in recent years, the inclusion of new areas in the bilateral agenda emphasize the strength of our partnership based on democratic principles, the rule of law and the protection of human rights," he said.
"The commitment to further expansion of our cooperation in democratic reforms, promotion of economic and energy resilience, justice, fight against corruption, security cooperation and cooperation on other fields was reflected in the vision of raising the strategic dialogue between Armenia and the U.S. to the level of strategic partnership," Pashinyan said.