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  • U.S. Ambassador's remarks at “16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence” campaign launch conference

    "I am very pleased to join you this morning in kicking off this 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign, another piece of the international effort to boost our work to combat all forms of violence and discrimination against women.

    Violence against women limits their human rights and fundamental freedoms. Violence against women is quite simply wrong. Still, one in three women will experience gender-based violence in her lifetime. I daresay most of us know women who have been abused physically or psychologically by a close family member or an acquaintance. This campaign draws attention to all victims of gender-based violence, including those whose lives have been cut short due to our failure to protect them"...  Full remarks »

  • U.S. Ambassador's remarks at "Small and Medium Enterprises in Azerbaijan" conference in Baku

    I am very pleased to join you this morning for this important conference focused on developing small and medium enterprises in Azerbaijan. I had the pleasure of speaking at last year’s conference and...  read full remarks  »

  • Statement by John Kirby, Spokesperson

    Today we remember the death of Sergey Magnitskiy, who died November 16, 2009...  read full statement  »

  • U.S. Mission to the OSCE: On the Unjust Sentencing of Giyas Ibrahimov in Azerbaijan | Statement to the PC

    The United States is troubled by the October 25 decision of an Azerbaijani court to sentence N!DA activist Giyas Ibrahimov to ten years in prison on charges of drug possession in what is widely considered to be politically motivated prosecution. Amnesty International reported that while in custody Mr. Ibrahimov was tortured into confessing to a serious drug crime.

    The United States urges the Azerbaijani government to abide by its OSCE and other international commitments. We further urge the government to release Ibrahimov and all those imprisoned for exercising their fundamental freedoms, including the right to freedom of expression, including dissent, and to peaceful assembly, which are vital to a healthy, democratic society.   »

  • Turkey Travel Warning

    The U.S. Department of State continues to warn U.S. citizens of increased threats from terrorist groups throughout Turkey. U.S. citizens should avoid travel to southeast Turkey and carefully consider the risks of travel to and throughout the country.

    The U.S. Department of State is updating this Travel Warning to reflect recent threat reporting cited in the Turkish media and to advise on the ban on demonstrations in Ankara province. U.S. citizens should still carefully consider the need to travel to Turkey at this time. The Governor of Ankara, acting under the authority of the recently-extended state of emergency, and on the basis of reported terrorist threats against cities in Turkey, has banned all demonstrations in Ankara province until November 30. The Department continues to monitor the effects of the ongoing State of Emergency; recent terrorist incidents in Ankara, Istanbul, Gaziantep, and throughout the Southeast; recurring threats; visible increases in police or military activities; and the potential for restrictions on movement as they relate to the safety and well-being of U.S. citizens in Turkey. Delays or denial of consular access to U.S. citizens detained or arrested by security forces, some of whom also possess Turkish citizenship, continue...      More... »

  • STATEMENT BY SECRETARY KERRY: International Day of the Girl

    The State Department is deeply committed to protecting and strengthening the rights of girls worldwide, and on this fifth annual International Day of the Girl, we recognize that addressing the distinct challenges facing girls, particularly adolescent girls, is critical to our ability to achieve U.S. foreign policy goals, including gender equality.

    Poverty, gender-based violence, a lack of education, and barriers to equal opportunity are only a few issues on a long list for adolescent girls around the world. But the range of challenges girls must overcome are challenges we all must overcome in order to advance global peace, prosperity, and security...  Full statement »

  • Statement by Assistant Secretary John Kirby: "Joint Investigation Team Report on the Downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17"

    The United States welcomes the interim report of the Joint Investigation Team on the shoot down of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17.

    The Team’s interim findings corroborate Secretary Kerry’s statement in the days following the tragedy that MH17 was shot down by a BUK surface-to-air missile fired from Russian-backed, separatist-controlled territory in eastern Ukraine.

    The Team found also that the BUK launcher was transported from Russia to separatist-controlled territory in Ukraine before the incident, and returned to Russia after the launcher was used to shoot down MH17.

    While nothing can take away the grief of those who lost loved ones on that tragic day, this announcement is another step toward bringing to justice those responsible for this outrageous attack.

    The United States will continue to work with the Joint Investigation Team in its investigation. We call on other states that are in a position to assist to cooperate fully so those responsible are held accountable.   »

  • Statement by Co-Chairs of OSCE Minsk Group

    The Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group (Ambassadors Igor Popov of the Russian Federation, James Warlick of the United States of America, and Pierre Andrieu of France), as well as the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office Ambassador Andrzej Kasprzyk, met separately with the Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan in New York on the margins of the UN General Assembly to continue discussions on a settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

    During the meetings, we paid special attention to implementation of decisions taken at the recent summits in Vienna (May) and St. Petersburg (June). In particular, we discussed further steps that could create an atmosphere for advancing substantial negotiations that could lead to a settlement.

    We also exchanged views on proposals that could be discussed between the sides. Our governments are prepared to host another meeting of the Presidents or Foreign Ministers at the appropriate time. We plan to visit the region in the near future.   »

  • Address by President Obama to the 71st Session of the United Nations General Assembly

    "Mr. President; Mr. Secretary General; fellow delegates; ladies and gentlemen: As I address this hall as President for the final time, let me recount the progress that we’ve made these last eight years.

    From the depths of the greatest financial crisis of our time, we coordinated our response to avoid further catastrophe and return the global economy to growth. We’ve taken away terrorist safe havens, strengthened the nonproliferation regime, resolved the Iranian nuclear issue through diplomacy. We opened relations with Cuba, helped Colombia end Latin America’s longest warm, and we welcome a democratically elected leader of Myanmar to this Assembly. Our assistance is helping people feed themselves, care for the sick, power communities across Africa, and promote models of development rather than dependence. And we have made international institutions like the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund more representative, while establishing a framework to protect our planet from the ravages of climate change.

    This is important work. It has made a real difference in the lives of our people. And it could not have happened had we not worked together. And yet, around the globe we are seeing the same forces of global integration that have made us interdependent also expose deep fault lines in the existing international order..."  Full speech »

  • U.S. Statement on Russian Duma Elections

    The United States welcomes the preliminary report on the Russian Duma elections by the observer mission of the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly. We acknowledge that the Russian Central Elections Commission administered the elections transparently, but we note the report’s finding that, “the electoral environment was negatively affected by restrictions to fundamental freedoms and political rights, firmly controlled media and a tightening grip on civil society.”

    We share the observers’ concern that the inclusiveness of the candidate registration process was diminished by limitations on the right to stand and excessive registration requirements, particularly for independent candidates. We also note observers’ reports during the campaign period of misuse of administrative resources by some local authorities, obstruction of certain campaign events, and we reiterate our concerns about the harassment of prominent members of the political opposition.

    Like people everywhere, Russians deserve free, fair, and transparent elections, and leaders who are accountable to those they represent. We urge Russian authorities to take positive action on both the recommendations contained in the OSCE’s observers’ report, and on the recommendations of other domestic and international observers.   »

  • U.S. Statement on Russian Duma Elections

    The United States welcomes the preliminary report on the Russian Duma elections by the observer mission of the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly. We acknowledge that the Russian Central Elections Commission administered the elections transparently, but we note the report’s finding that, “the electoral environment was negatively affected by restrictions to fundamental freedoms and political rights, firmly controlled media and a tightening grip on civil society.”

  • Ambassador Cekuta on the importance of protecting the natural heritage of U.S. and Azerbaijani National Parks systems
    Ambassador Cekuta on the importance of protecting the natural heritage of U.S. and Azerbaijani National Parks systems

    Our long term well-being depends on protecting the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the biodiversity we share. This common natural heritage binds together the United States, Azerbaijan, and countries around the world. As I travel to different parts of Azerbaijan, including most recently to Zangezur National Park in Nakhchivan, and see what is being done to protect the environment, I see parallels to what we are celebrating this year in the United States as we mark the 100th anniversary of establishment of our national parks system.

    National parks and protected areas are places where shared values are enshrined for generations to come. Parks all over the world benefit the public and celebrate land and sea and cultural treasures. The richness and biodiversity of Azerbaijan’s parks are no exception. They are a valuable resource, encompassing diverse ecosystems from the semi-deserts of Shirvan to the deciduous forests in Hirkan; from the beautiful high mountains of Shah Dag to the shores of the Caspian Sea in Samur-Yalama and wetlands in Absheron. Seeing Goygol last fall was like being back in the northeastern United States. Azerbaijan’s nine national parks, 11 state parks and 24 state reserves are home to a wide variety of wildlife including eagles, gazelles, bears, wolves, deer, and wild boar. Some parks are famous as stops on migratory routes for flamingoes and other birds. The parks embody the diversity Azerbaijanis value and which needs to be protected and fostered in today’s world. This is one of the reasons I have greatly enjoyed visiting several of Azerbaijan’s national parks, including those in Absheron, Altagac, and Shirvan. My wife Anne and I firmly intend to visit all the remaining national parks in the year to come.

    I am proud of the role the United States has played in this global movement and see many of the things embodied by our National Park Service with each visit to an Azerbaijani national park. I encourage you to visit Azerbaijan’s parks and celebrate the great natural beauty that is this country’s rich heritage. Should you have the chance to visit the United States, you can “find your national park") and discover our country’s natural diversity as well...  Full Article »

  • Statement by Assistant Secretary John Kirby: "The United States Welcomes the Release of Natig Jafarli"

    The United States welcomes yesterday’s release of Natig Jafarli, the Executive Secretary for the Republican Alternative Movement in Azerbaijan.

    We urge the government to release other individuals who have been likewise incarcerated for exercising their fundamental freedoms. At the same time, we encourage an open and public dialogue ahead of the September 26 referendum on amending the constitution.

    We look forward to working with the Azerbaijani government on additional positive steps.   »

  • United States Mission to the OSCE: "Ongoing Concerns About the Freedoms of Expression and Media in Azerbaijan"

    "At the Copenhagen meeting in 1990, participating States affirmed that “everyone will have the right to freedom of expression including the right to communication. This right will include freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart information and ideas without interference by public authority and regardless of frontiers.” Twenty years later at the Astana Summit, participating States acknowledged that “we value the important role played by civil society and free media in helping us to ensure full respect for human rights, fundamental freedoms, democracy, including free and fair elections, and the rule of law.

    With these and other shared commitments on human rights and fundamental freedoms in mind, the United States is concerned by the apparently arbitrary arrests and detentions that have taken place in Azerbaijan since the government announced its planned constitutional referendum on September 26. We are troubled by the August 12 arrest of Azerbaijani opposition Republican Alternative (REAL) Movement Executive Secretary Natig Jafarli. We understand that two days ago the Nasimi District Court of Baku rejected his request for release on bail. We are also concerned by reports of additional arrests and detentions of opposition figures..."  Full statement »

  • U.S. Department of Commerce’s SABIT Program partners with the Global Cold Chain Alliance to promote cold chain efficiency in Azerbaijan

    As part of the U.S. government’s commitment to supporting Azerbaijan’s economic diversification and the development of its agricultural sector, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Special American Business Internship Training Program (SABIT) is partnering with the Global Cold Chain Alliance (GCCA) based in Alexandria, Virginia, to bring experts to conduct cold storage and cold chain assessments at select agricultural companies in Baku and the regions of Azerbaijan. The assessments and consultations with the GCCA experts will benefit the companies by providing them recommendations for increasing efficiency, output, and quality of the products they produce, and assisting Azerbaijan to achieve its goals of increasing economic output in the agricultural sector...   »

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  • OSCE Minsk Group
    The Minsk Group spearheads the OSCE's efforts to find a political solution to the conflict in and around Nagorno-Karabakh involving Armenia and Azerbaijan. It is co-chaired by France, the Russian Federation and the United States.