Bill Text: MS HR23 | 2013 | Regular Session | Engrossed
Bill Title: Republic of Azerbaijan; recognize 21 years of diplomatic relations with U.S.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 2-0)
Status: (Passed) 2013-02-14 - Enrolled Bill Signed [HR23 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2013-HR23-Engrossed.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2013 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representatives Zuber, Guice
House Resolution 23
(As Adopted by House)
A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING TWENTY-one YEARS OF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND THE REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJAN.
WHEREAS, on February 28, 2013, the United States of America and the Republic of Azerbaijan will mark the twenty-first anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between these two great nations; and
WHEREAS, over the last 21 years, Azerbaijan has consolidated its sovereignty and political independence and has become an important strategic partner of the United States, both regionally and globally; and
WHEREAS, the United States and Azerbaijan are cooperating in counterterrorism efforts and the nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction, which is of particular importance, given that Azerbaijan is an ally nation located between the nations of Iran and Russia; and
WHEREAS, Azerbaijan also provides a multi-faceted support for the United States troops and NATO operations currently stationed in Afghanistan; and
WHEREAS, Azerbaijan contributes to the energy security of the United States and European nations and is a critical element of the "Southern Corridor," which will further enhance diversification of energy supplies to our European allies; and
WHEREAS, bilateral trade between the United States and Azerbaijan is expanding, and as the biggest trade partner of the United States in the South Caucasus, this partnership has allowed Azerbaijan to further develop its economy and increasingly contribute to the economic growth of the United States, while simultaneously increasing Azerbaijan's ability to compete in the global market; and
WHEREAS, Azerbaijan has a tradition of peaceful coexistence, spanning centuries, between various ethnic and religious communities and is a critical relationship for the United States government in its outreach to the Muslim world, as Azerbaijan is one of the few secular countries in the Middle East with a predominately Muslim population that maintains close, friendly ties with Israel; and
WHEREAS, of noteworthy importance in supporting the continued relationship between Azerbaijan and Israel is the fact that roughly a third of the crude oil supplied to Israel, an industrious nation dependent upon this supply, comes from Azerbaijan; and
WHEREAS, there is broad, bipartisan consensus on the need to maintain the strategic partnership between the United States and Azerbaijan in order to actively engage Azerbaijan in its progression in building a market-based economy and vibrant civil society; and
WHEREAS, this year also is the twenty-first anniversary of the Khocali Massacre, which happened in Khocali Town in Azerbaijan on February 25 and 26, 1992; and
WHEREAS, it is the decision of the House of Representatives to encourage the Office of the President of the United States to work together to further strengthen the relationship between our nation and its allies, such as Azerbaijan, in order to advance the interests of democracy here in this nation and in the Middle East, presently and in the future, and to share the pain of the people of Azerbaijan as they commemorate the lives of the victims of the Khocali Massacre:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby recognize twenty-one years of diplomatic relations between the United States of America and the Republic of Azerbaijan on February 28, 2013, share the republic's pain in remembering the victims of the Khocali Massacre, and trust that our mutual desire for contentment will be achieved by ensuring the longevity of democracy.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the United States House of Representatives, the United States Senate and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.
