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HONORING AZERBAIJAN ON ITS 103RD REPUBLIC DAY
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HON. STEVE CHABOT
of ohio
in the house of representatives
Friday, May 28, 2021
Mr. CHABOT. Madam Speaker, as Co-Chair of the Congressional Azerbaijan Caucus, I rise today to recognize Azerbaijan on the occasion of its 103rd Republic Day.
Azerbaijan has a proud history as an independent country, beginning in 1918. With its independence, Azerbaijan became the very first secular parliamentary democracy in the Muslim world. Azerbaijan was also among the first states to grant women the right to vote. Azerbaijan's commitment to these values shows the world that they are truly universal, and that self-government and the respect for individual rights is not inimical to Islamic traditions. Unfortunately, Azerbaijan's independence was soon snuffed out by the totalitarian USSR, which sought to spread values much different to those espoused by the fledgling Azerbaijan Democratic Republic.
After the fall of the Soviet Union, Azerbaijan regained its independence. 2021 is particularly notable in this regard as it marks the thirtieth anniversary of this event.
Today, Azerbaijan remains a close partner to the United States and our allies. Throughout the United States' and NATO's long deployment to Afghanistan, Azerbaijan has been integral in ensuring stable lines of communication to the country and has partnered with us in the wider war on terror. Additionally, I find it significant and praiseworthy that as a Muslim country, Azerbaijan maintains strong relations with the Jewish community and with our ally Israel, and has done so for some time. Finally, Azerbaijan is a key energy provider for Europe, helping our allies there diversify their energy supply away from Vladimir Putin's Russia. And Azerbaijan's importance as an energy provider will only grow as a result of the opening of the Southern Gas Corridor last December.
Keeping in mind our relationship with Azerbaijan and its commitment to this partnership, I would encourage my colleagues to join me today in honoring Azerbaijan on its Republic Day.
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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 94
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