Ilham Aliyev received a delegation led by US Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense

President Ilham Aliyev has received a delegation led by US Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks.

Expressing her satisfaction with the first visit to Azerbaijan, US Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks said she was very impressed by our capital. The US visitor said her country appreciated Azerbaijan's participation and contribution to the peacekeeping mission in Afghanistan. Kathleen Hicks said the USA was interested in expanding the relations in the field of defense and bringing them to the level of strategic cooperation. She stressed the importance of mutual exchanges for the definition of areas of cooperation.

Voicing his satisfaction with the development of Azerbaijani-American bilateral relations in various fields, the head of state noted that cooperation between our countries in the field of defense had a long history and was quite reassuring. Stressing the role of cooperation in the area of defense for the development of bilateral relations, President Aliyev said it was important in terms of regional and energy security and the enhancement of stability. The President expressed his confidence over a further expansion of bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and the United States in various fields, including defense.