Baku, May 29, 2025 – The Europe Today: President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received Senator Steve Daines, a member of the United States Senate Foreign Relations Committee, during an official meeting held in Baku on May 29.
At the outset, Senator Daines extended his congratulations to President Ilham Aliyev on the occasion of Azerbaijan’s Independence Day, expressing his confidence in the significant potential for strengthening the friendship and partnership between the United States and Azerbaijan.
During the meeting, Senator Daines highlighted Azerbaijan’s valuable contributions to international peacekeeping efforts, recalling the service of Azerbaijani soldiers alongside U.S. troops in Afghanistan. He noted that Azerbaijani peacekeepers, who were tasked with maintaining security at Kabul Airport, were among the last military personnel to leave the country, playing a critical role in the evacuation of both civilian and military personnel. He conveyed his deep appreciation for Azerbaijan’s meaningful contribution to global security.
Senator Daines also emphasized his commitment throughout his political career to fostering ties between the United States and Azerbaijan, as well as with other nations in Central Asia. He underscored the vast opportunities for expanding these partnerships and advocated for increased visits by U.S. Senate representatives to Azerbaijan and the wider Central Asian region.
President Ilham Aliyev, in turn, expressed his gratitude for the Independence Day congratulations and for the congratulatory letter received from former U.S. President Donald Trump. He noted the letter’s emphasis on the promising prospects for expanding cooperation in the areas of security, energy, and economic development between Azerbaijan and the United States. President Aliyev further expressed his appreciation for the attention accorded to U.S.-Azerbaijan relations during President Trump’s first term in office.
The meeting also acknowledged Azerbaijan’s strategic role as a vital logistics hub in the Eurasian region, owing to its advanced transport infrastructure and strong political relations with neighboring countries. The two sides discussed Azerbaijan’s pivotal position in the development of the Middle Corridor, a key route facilitating transcontinental trade and connectivity.
The discussions concluded with an exchange on various other matters of mutual interest. At the end of the meeting, Senator Steve Daines presented a keepsake to President Ilham Aliyev as a token of respect and friendship.
