WASHINGTON — In a gesture of diplomatic engagement and support, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken sent a congratulatory letter to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, marking the 30th anniversary of the pivotal energy agreement known as the Contract of the Century.

According to Trend News Agency, Blinken’s letter praised Azerbaijan’s significant progress as a major energy supplier since the agreement’s inception and highlighted the nation’s ongoing preparations to host the upcoming COP29 environmental summit. The Secretary of State lauded Azerbaijan’s efforts in advancing renewable energy and developing green energy export pathways, emphasizing these initiatives as transformative for the region and affirming Azerbaijan’s leadership in global energy transition.

“Dear Mr. President, it is my pleasure to congratulate you and the people of Azerbaijan on this momentous anniversary. Your commitment to sustainable energy development underscores a long-standing partnership that we hope to continue enhancing,” Blinken stated in the letter. He further expressed the United States’ readiness to expand cooperation with Azerbaijan on various global issues, including energy transition and environmental sustainability.