Baku: President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received Senator Steve Daines, a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations and Chairman of the Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation, on July 7.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, President Ilham Aliyev highlighted the successful development of bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and the United States, especially following Donald Trump's second election as President. These relations have been elevated to a strategic partnership level, which he termed as crucial for both nations and the region. He reminisced about the significant visit of U.S. Vice President JD Vance to Azerbaijan and the signing of the "Charter on Strategic Partnership between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the United States of America," marking a milestone in bilateral ties.

President Aliyev also praised his personal relationship with Donald Trump, acknowledging his influential role in fostering the peace agenda between Azerbaijan and Armenia. He expressed gratitude to Senator Daines for his contributions to enhancing Azerbaijan-U.S. relations, noting the historic events that have occurred since the Senator's last visit to the country.

Senator Steve Daines commended the positive trajectory of relations between the two countries and underscored the significance of President Aliyev's visit to Washington in August of the previous year. He acknowledged Azerbaijan's pivotal geopolitical role under President Aliyev's leadership and expressed appreciation for his efforts in normalizing relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia and promoting peace.

During their meeting, both leaders emphasized the importance of the TRIPP corridor for regional transport connectivity and discussed ways to strengthen dialogue between Azerbaijan and the U.S. Senate, exploring future partnership prospects.