Posted by 
Azerbaijan has quite a unique location, said the Republic of Azerbaijan’s ambassador to the United States Elin Suleymanov.
Suleymanov addressed the University of Delaware community on Dec. 2, at a public lecture on “Changing Dynamics in the Eurasian Region and Azerbaijan,” hosted by the University’s Institute for Global Studies, the university’s website says.
Suleymanov’s presentation focused on international relations, business, economics, history and culture of Azerbaijan.
“Despite the small size of the country, Azerbaijan has had a large impact through its development of international export pipelines, investments in technology advancement and trade expansion,” the ambassador said.
“For a time Azerbaijan became a part of the Soviet Union but “aspiration remained with the people and in 1991 we reemerged as an independent state,” said Suleymanov. “Independence today is not just because we have gas and oil, but how we use it for the benefits of the country.”
“Located strategically between Russia, Iran and Georgia, Azerbaijan is a place where religion and borders meet, and the cultures of the Middle East and Europe merge,” the ambassador wrote.
Suleymanov answered challenging questions from faculty and staff on topics such as the conflict with Armenia, and the infrastructure gap between the capital, Baku, and some rural cities.
Suleymanov’s first-time visit to Delaware marked the start of a relationship with the University of Delaware, the statement says.
“The University hopes to collaborate with Azerbaijan in future endeavors and looks forward to more conversations with their diplomats,” Dan Bottomley, associate director of grants and contracts with UD’s Institute for Global Studies, said.
Suleymanov has served as ambassador of Azerbaijan to the US since 2011.
Trend.az
