10/23/12 - Statement submitted for the Congressional Record on Section 907 - Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of repealing Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act. Since 1992 the people of Azerbaijan have been under unfair restrictions for American assistance.

Twenty years ago tomorrow, President George H.W. Bush signed into law the FREEDOM Support Act.

While a well intentioned effort at lifting out of poverty and tyranny the afflicted peoples of the former Soviet Union, the law also contained a provision under Section 907 of the bill, which restricted Azerbaijan from receiving assistance.

Azerbaijan was the only former Soviet state restricted in this manner, and bound by outdated criteria.

Every year since 2001, the restrictions under Section 907 have been waived. The US-Azerbaijan alliance has grown immensely over the previous 20 years across all sectors of cooperation, from military intelligence, to trade and business, to academic and cultural ties.

It is time to do away with this unnecessary and unfair law. Azerbaijan is a key ally in the War on Terror, and is a strategic geographic partner given its close proximity to Iran and Israel.

Instead of dwelling on conflicts of the past, we should be embracing economic growth of the future while continuing to foster and encourage democratic values in Azerbaijan .

Congress should repeal Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act and allow Azerbaijan access to the support it deserves.

02/09/12 - Member of the House of Representatives of the US Congress Randy Hultgren has joined the Azerbaijan working group, the Azerbaijani Embassy in Washington reports.

Hultgren succeeded in the last elections. He is the U.S. Representative for Illinois's 14th congressional district. He is a member of the Republican Party. Hultgren is also a member of the Committee on Agriculture, Committee on Science, Space and Technology, as well as the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Gun.Az reports.

So, the number of members of the Azerbaijan working group has reached 42.

12/07/11 - The new Azerbaijan America Alliance NGO was presented Tuesday here. The presentation ceremony drew US MPs and government officials, representatives of the diplomatic corps, activists of the US Azerbaijani community as well as members of think tanks.

Opening the event, AAA founder Anar Mammadov said the organization aims to have Azerbaijan recognized in the US and contribute to expansion of US-Azerbaijan relationship. To this end, the AAA will be looking for the ways to develop the friendship between the nations by working with US governmental bodies, NGOs, education sector and cultural centers.

The presentation was attended by former Republican nominee for president, senator from Arizona John McCain, congressman from South Carolina Joe Wilson, Illinois` congressman Randy Hultgren, congressman from California Dana Rohrabacher, Florida state representative Corrine Brown and other American legislators.

McCain pointed out US must seek allies in the changing world. This partnership should be built upon such reliable partners as Azerbaijan. The senator pointed out construction of the gas pipeline from the Caspian basin via Turkey to Europe meets the US interests.

2011 - Staffer attended TCA trip to Turkey. “The TCA trip was extremely valuable in providing a level of nuance, understanding, and dimension necessary to understanding Turkey and the region. It was a fulfilling experience and the trip offered a broad perspective on the cultural, political and economic layers of this important international stakeholder.” Mischa Fisher, Legislative
Director, Congressman Randy Hultgren (R-IL)

06-22-11 - Azerbaijan America Alliance Corporation contacted Representative Hultgren on behalf of the government of Azerbaijan regarding Introduction to the Azerbaijan America Alliance

12-06-11 - Khayal Sharif-zadeh from Azerbaijan America Alliance Corporation contacted Representative Hultgren on behalf of the government of Azerbaijan regarding Alliance Inaugural Event

02-08-12 - Khayal Sharif-zadeh from Azerbaijan America Alliance Corporation contacted Mischa Fisher from Representative Hultgren's office on behalf of the government of Azerbaijan regarding Introduction to the Alliance

06-15-12 - Khayal Sharif-zadeh from Azerbaijan America Alliance Corporation contacted Mischa Fisher from Representative Hultgren's office on behalf of the government of Azerbaijan regarding Update on the Alliance's Progress