Top official: Appointment of U.S. ambassador to Azerbaijan necessary for bilateral relations

Azerbaijan, Baku, June 21 / Trend, M.Aliyev / Appointment of U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan is important for the dynamic development of Azerbaijan-US relations, Azerbaijani Presidential Administration Political Analysis and Information Provision Department head Elnur Aslanov told journalists on Thursday. He was commenting on Richard Morningstar's nomination as U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan. He said the appointment of a new U.S. ambassador to Azerbaijan, especially given that this post has remained vacant for a long time, will create a ground for a more dynamic development of Azerbaijan-US relations and transition of cooperation in political and in economic and other spheres to a new stage. Earlier President Barack Obama nominated Richard L. Morningstar to be the next ambassador to Baku. He is awaiting confirmation by the Senate according to the U.S. Constitution. The United States has not had an ambassador in Baku since the departure of Matthew J. Bryza in December. The U.S. President Barack Obama appointed a career diplomat, former U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary Matthew Bryza as ambassador to Azerbaijan bypass the Senate on Dec.29, 2010, which a few months blocked his nomination under pressure of pro-Armenian senators Barbara Boxer and Robert Menendez. Do you have any feedback? Contact our journalist at agency@trend.az