HOUSE MEMORIAL 9

51st legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2013

INTRODUCED BY

Nora Espinoza

A MEMORIAL

RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND THE REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJAN.

     WHEREAS, the Republic of Azerbaijan restored its independence in October 1991 after the collapse of the Soviet Union, proclaiming itself the heir to the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, which was established in 1918 and was the first secular democratic republic in the Turkic and Muslim world and among the first nation-states granting the right to vote to women; and

     WHEREAS, the United States of America was one of the first countries to recognize the independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan in 1991 and to establish full-fledged diplomatic relations with it in 1992; and

     WHEREAS, over the last twenty years, the Republic of Azerbaijan has consolidated its sovereignty and independence and has become one of the fastest-developing countries in the region and beyond; and

     WHEREAS, the election of the Republic of Azerbaijan to a non-permanent seat on the United Nations security council in October 2011 is a testament to the growing role and increased capabilities of the Republic of Azerbaijan in maintaining peace and security in the wider Middle East; and

     WHEREAS, the United States of America, along with the United Nations, recognizes and supports the Republic of Azerbaijan's sovereignty and territorial integrity; and

     WHEREAS, the Republic of Azerbaijan has an area of thirty-three thousand four hundred forty square miles, which also includes the Karabakh and Nakhchivan regions; and

     WHEREAS, the United States of America and the Republic of Azerbaijan have developed a strong strategic partnership based on shared values and interests and a shared vision; and

     WHEREAS, the Republic of Azerbaijan is a staunch ally and strategic partner of the United States of America in the critically important Caspian region; and

     WHEREAS, the Republic of Azerbaijan was one of the first countries to render unconditional assistance to the United States after the terror attacks of September 11, 2001, opening its airspace and airports for use by coalition troops in Afghanistan and sending officers and soldiers to serve shoulder-to-shoulder with United States troops; and

     WHEREAS, today around forty percent of all supplies for troops of the United States of America and its allies in Afghanistan are delivered via the Republic of Azerbaijan; and

     WHEREAS, the United States of America and the Republic of Azerbaijan continue their successful cooperation in counterterrorism efforts and the nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction, which is of particular importance, given that the Republic of Azerbaijan is an ally nation located between Iran and Russia; and

     WHEREAS, the Republic of Azerbaijan possesses vast oil and gas resources and contributes to the energy security of the United States of America and the European nations, and it is a critical element of the southern gas corridor, which will further enhance diversification of energy supplies used by European allies of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the United States of America; and

     WHEREAS, Azerbaijan has a long-standing tradition of peaceful coexistence with various ethnic and religious communities and 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, the Republic of Azerbaijan attaches great importance to expanding its relations in all spheres, including trade, cultural and educational exchanges with the state of New Mexico, which is the only state in the United States of America to which the Republic of Azerbaijan has appointed an honorary consul, Emmit Richard "Art" McHaffie, who lives in Santa Fe; and

     WHEREAS, it is critical for the United States of America to further strengthen the relations with its allies, such as the Republic of Azerbaijan, to advance common interests currently and in the future;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the importance of a strategic partnership and friendship between the United States of America and the Republic of Azerbaijan be recognized and further enhanced through mutual efforts over the years to come; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the office of the governor, the secretary of cultural affairs and the secretary of economic development.

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