Press Releases
Recent Press Releases
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Correction to Media Reports İssued Regarding Ambassador Morningstar’s Trip to Nakhchivan
“Over the last few days, some local media outlets have reported that Ambassador Morningstar praised the development of democracy in Nakhchivan during his October 31-November 1 visit to the region. The Ambassador did not make such comments to anyone, and any reports claiming that he did so are not true. »
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Statement by Ambassador Morningstar on the Preservation of Cultural Heritage
Since my arrival in Baku as Ambassador, I have made an effort to become more familiar with this wonderful country, its people and history. Most recently, I traveled to Nakhchivan, and I have also made visits to Lenkoran, Sheki, Oguz, Quba and Lahij. It has been an opportunity to see this country’s diverse cultural heritage up close, an experience that I think is important for anyone coming to live and work in Azerbaijan. »
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U.S. Defense Threat Reduction Agency offers 4-day training on International Counterproliferation Program
In Baku, October 15-18, thirty-three Azerbaijanis from government ministries and agencies participated in a course offered by the U.S. Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA). The 4-day course, a part of DTRA’s International Counterproliferation Program (ICP), provided students an overview of WMD proliferation issues and discussed the importance played at a country’s borders to interdict WMD. »
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U.S. Army Europe, Lieutenant General Mark Hertling Concludes his Visit to Azerbaijan
Commander, U.S. Army Europe, LTG Mark P. Hertling concluded a visit to Azerbaijan during which he met with Minister of Defense Safar Abiyev, Deputy Minister of Defense Chingiz Mammadov as well as other U.S. and Azerbaijani military and civilian officials. »
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Annual Azerbaijani Boys Camp Promotes Leadership and Active Citizenship
On July 15th Adam Sterling, Charge d’ Affaires for the United States Embassy,and Farakh Khan, Assistant Attache, delivered the keynote address at the The Azerbaijani Boys’ Leadership Experience (ABLE), a summer camp for boys between the ages of 14 and 16. The camp, run by the U.S. Peace Corps in conjunction with Azerbaijani partners, brings Azerbaijan’s young male leaders together for a weeklong program fostering leadership, community service, gender equality, teamwork, and volunteerism. There are over 30 participants, all of whom will complete a community service project in their hometown following the camp.
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2012 Human Rights Report roundtable discussion
On July 11th Adam Sterling, the United States Chargé d’Affaires in Azerbaijan, hosted representatives of leading human rights groups, civil society, and the Azerbaijani government for a roundtable discussion about the recently released 2012 United States State Department Human Rights Report. The Human Rights Report is an annual survey of human rights worldwide, including in Azerbaijan. Participants at the roundtable discussed human rights in Azerbaijan, including press freedom, rule of law, property rights, and opportunities for government/civil society cooperation in human rights protection. »
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American and Azerbaijani Essay Contest Winners Meet in Baku
Today ten winners of the World Affairs Councils of America (WACA) National High School Essay Contest on the Republic of Azerbaijan were welcome by the Charge de Affairs of the U.S. Embassy, Adam Sterling. The students and their chapperones from the World Affairs Council are in Azerbaijan for a one week study tour sponsored and hosted by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation. The students are in Azerbaijan from June 21st until June 28th and have been learn about the unique history, and geo-political significance of the Azerbaijani republic and its strong relationship with the United States.
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Combating WMD Proliferation in Maritime Ports
In Baku, June 4-8, 25 Azerbaijanis from six agencies participated in a course offered by the U.S. Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) to combat proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD). Course instructors, from DTRA’s International Counterproliferation Program (ICP), said the mid- to senior level representatives from the various Azerbaijani ministries and agencies represented the best mix of participants they had ever seen for this course. Entitled “Combating WMD Proliferation in Maritime Ports,” the course drew representatives from the Ministries of Defense, Internal Affairs, National Security, the State Maritime Administration, the State Customs Committee, and the State Border Service. Participants showed great interest in the course, evidenced by lively and open interagency discussions and debates that created new bonds among individuals while reinforcing existing relationships. The State Maritime Administration representatives were particularly helpful, arranging a boat tour of the Baku port and harbor for all the participants, as well as a visit to their new, state-of-the-art Command and Control Center. Participating organization are seeking opportunities for further training and engagement under this program.
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Azerbaijani, U.S. Troops Train Side-by-Side in Romania (May 23, 2012)
On May 6, 75 soldiers from Azerbaijan’s NATO Operational Capabilities Concept Battalion flew on two U.S. military planes to Constanta, Romania, where they participated in the Black Sea Rotational Force 2012 multi-lateral training exercise from May 7-18. This is the second consecutive year that Azerbaijani soldiers have participated in the Black Sea Rotational Force, where they engaged in peacekeeping training alongside United States and Romanian troops. The exercise is overseen by elements of the 4th United States Marine Corps Division, from San Antonia, Texas. »
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Charge d’Affaires Adam Sterling Hands out First 2012 J1 Summer Work and Travel Visa
Today, Adam Sterling, Charge d’Affaires of the US Embassy in Baku, handed out the first J1 Summer Work and Travel (SWT) visa to be issued in Azerbaijan for the 2012 season. The Summer Work and Travel program is one of the most popular exchange programs run by the US Department of State, allowing university student to live and work in the United States for three months on their summer academic break. Last year nearly 400 Azerbaijani university students took advantage of the SWT program to get to know America, improve their English and foster mutual understanding between the Azerbaijan and the United States. This is the 8th year the popular program has been operating in Azerbaijan.
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U.S. , Azerbaijani Experts Discuss Innovative Approaches to Museum Programming (April 26, 2012)
Four museum specialists from America’s national museum -- the Smithsonian Institution – conducted workshops with over 120 Azerbaijani museum experts from April 22 – 30 to discussed creating interactive exhibits and using social media for museum programming. The workshops were organized by the United States Embassy in partnership with the Azerbaijani Ministry of Culture.
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United States Helps Azerbaijan Strengthen Border Security (April 25, 2012)
On April 25, U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Adam Sterling handed over to Azerbaijan State Customs Committee two U.S.-built tool trucks that will help Azerbaijan strengthen its border security measures.
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U.S.-Azerbaijan Economic Partnership Commission (April 19 2012)
The U.S. Department of State welcomed the Minister of Finance Samir Sharifov of Azerbaijan and his delegation for the third meeting of the U.S.-Azerbaijan Economic Partnership Commission (EPC), which met yesterday in Washington. To read more »
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Statement regarding Assault on Journalist Idrak Abbasov (April 20, 2012)
The United States Embassy condemns the assault on the independent journalist Idrak Abbasov on April 18 in Azerbaijan. Freedom of the media is essential for every democracy. Journalists must be able to work free of intimidation and fear. We call on the Government of Azerbaijan to launch a prompt and thorough criminal investigation of the incident and hold accountable those responsible for the assault.
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U.S. Secretary of Navy Concludes his Visit to Azerbaijan (11.21.2011)
Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus concluded a three-day visit to Azerbaijan during which he met with President Ilham Aliyev, Minister of Defense Safar Abiyev, Commander of the Navy Vice Admiral Shahin Sultanov as well as other U.S. and Azerbaijani military and civilian officials and visited sites of cultural significance. Read more... »
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Special Envoy for Eurasian Energy Supports Southern Corridor
The U.S. Embassy in Azerbaijan notes that Ambassador Richard Morningstar, the U.S. Special Envoy for Eurasian Energy, wishes to clarify inaccurate media accounts of his statements at his press conference in Baku on November 15. Read more... »
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Record Number of Azerbaijanis Studying at U.S. Universities
Baku, November 15, 2011— A new study of shows that record numbers of Azerbaijani students are studying in U.S. universities and colleges. According to Open Doors 2011, the annual report on international academic mobility published by the Institute of International Education (IIE) with support from the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the United States Department of State, 440 Azerbaijani students enrolled in U.S. institutions of higher education during the 2010/11 academic year, more than double the number compared to 5 years ago.
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USAID, OSCE team up to help Azerbaijan combat human trafficking, promote access to justice (September 29, 2011)
The United States Agency for International Development and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Office in Baku today signed a grant agreement to co-operate on combating trafficking in persons and strengthen access to justice in Azerbaijan. Michael Greene, USAID/Azerbaijan Mission Director, and Ambassador Koray Targay, Head of OSCE Office in Baku, signed the agreement. Ambassador Matthew Bryza and Javad Shikhiliyev, the Head of Anti-Trafficking Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs also attended the event and welcomed the $730,000 grant as a valuable contribution to Azerbaijan’s efforts to combat trafficking and strengthen access to justice.
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Ambassador Bryza Praises International Solidarity against Terror at Commemoration of 10th Anniversary of 9/11 Attacks (September 12, 2011)
Ambassador Matthew Bryza today hosted an official commemoration of the tenth anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terror attacks on New York City and Washington D.C.. Government of Azerbaijan officials, led by Deputy Foreign Minister Hafiz Pashayev, diplomatic representatives of Coalition partners fighting in and rebuilding Afghanistan, as well as countries providing essential transportation support to international efforts in Afghanistan and assisting the fight against terror also attended the ceremony, which was held at the U.S. Embassy in Baku.
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Embassy Statement on Demolition of Institute for Peace and Democracy Offices
The United States Embassy in Baku was troubled by news Baku municipal authorities on August 11 demolished the offices of the Institute for Peace and Democracy in Baku. Of particular concern, the demolition took place despite a May 24 injunction by a district administrative court forbidding the expropriation or destruction of the property in question. Moreover, the owner of the building was out of the country and unable to recover property and records before the demolition. Read full text here... »
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Statement by President Barack Obama on the Occasion of Ramadan
As Ramadan begins, Michelle and I would like to send our best wishes to Muslim communities in the United States and around the world. Ramadan is a festive time that is anticipated for months by Muslims everywhere. Families and communities share the happiness of gathering together for iftar and prayers. Bazaars light up the night in many cities from Rabat to Jakarta. And here in the United States, Muslim Americans share Ramadan traditions with their neighbors, fellow students, and co-workers. Read the Entire Text »
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Georgian Institute of Public Affairs Calls for Applications for Master's Program in Journalism and Media Management
The U.S. Embassy is pleased to announce that the Georgian Institute of Public Affairs (GIPA) is soliciting applications from Azerbaijani citizens for a master’s degree program in journalism and media management offered by the Caucasus School of Journalism and Media Management and taught by instructors from the United States, European Union member states, Georgia and Azerbaijan. The program is funded by the U.S. Department of State, with supplementary funding from the Open Society Institute. Read more... »
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Ambassador Bryza Speaks to Young Women on the Importance of Leadership (July 24, 2011)
On July 24, Ambassador Matthew Bryza opened the Girls Leading Our World (GLOW) camp in Gabala. A total of 48 girls, aged 13-17 from 24 regions of Azerbaijan, will participate in the five-day summer camp, which focuses on developing attendees’ leadership skills, such as teamwork, volunteerism and conflict resolution, and on important social issues, as health, gender issues, and community development.
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Ambassador Bryza Highlights Cultural Preservation (July 23, 2011)
Ambassador Matthew Bryza visited the Udi community in Gabala Region’s Nic settlement on July 23, touring the renovated Udi church, having lunch with community members on the church grounds, and becoming better acquainted with the Udi community. Ambassador Bryza noted the importance of preservation projects such as the Udi church restoration to maintaining the rich cultural heritage of the South Caucasus region.
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Ambassador Bryza Meets Pomegranate Farmers in Goychay Region (July 22, 2011)
Ambassador Matthew Bryza visited the Goychay region on July 22 to meet with representatives of the pomegranate sector, including farmers, processors and wholesale buyers in order to gain a better understanding of the opportunities as well as the constraints facing the sector. His visit underscored the continued support for the sector from the highest levels.
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