To His Excellency, Mister Bill Clinton, the President of the United States of America - February 25, 2000

Dear mister President!

I was very glad to have an opportunity to meet you again on February 15 in Washington, in the White House, during my business visit to the United States of America and to discuss once again the questions having great value for our countries in detail once again.

During my visit to Washington on February 12, we held numerous meetings and fruitful negotiations with secretaries of defense, energy and agriculture of the United States of America, the president of "Eximbank" and distinguished political figures. To my opinion, we have managed to do much for development of bilateral relations and mutually advantageous ties between the United States of America and the Republic of Azerbaijan in all spheres.

First of all, I express my deep gratitude that You constantly pursued the peace process continuing with a view of peace settlement to the Armenian-Azerbaijani Mountainous Garabagh (Nagorno-Karabakh) conflict, for the establishment of strong, long peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan, for your personal efforts and support rendered for successful end of direct negotiations between the President of Armenia and Azerbaijan.

We cherish great hopes for peaceful activity of the United States of America as the OSCE Minsk group co-chairman. I am sure that the prompt peace settlement of the conflict will create conditions for clearing the occupied lands of Azerbaijan, returning more than one million Azerbaijani refugees to their native homes and bring the contribution to an establishment of peace, stability and security in all the Southern Caucasus.

We attach a great value to the expansion of multilateral mutual, advantageous political, economic relations, and further strengthening of relations of strategic partnership between our countries. We will expand close cooperation henceforth with Your administration and the companies of America in the field of joint exploitation of the rich energy resources located in the Azerbaijan sector of the Caspian Sea with the big oil and gas companies both of the world and the United States of America and transportation of oil on reliable, safe ways to the world markets. I assure You that we will continue our resolute and consistent policy for realization of the historical agreement on the Baku-Ceyhan main export pipeline, signed with Your participation in Istanbul within the limits of OSCE meeting at the highest level in November last year, and for export of rich gas resources of the Caspian basin to Turkey and Europe.

Dear President!

When I was in Washington, I passed an examination in clinic of eye illnesses at John Hopkins University. The cataract was revealed in my eye. After very successful operation, I received a course of treatment for some days. Then I left for Cleveland and passed an examination there. I feel very well. In opinion of doctors, all the parameters concerning my health, are normal.

I express You my deep gratitude for the hospitality, attention, care, respect and esteem that you showed me. The personal friendly attitudes been generated between us, are very dear and valuable to me. I will be always true to our friendship and do my best to develop and strengthen strategic friendship between our countries day by day.

Leaving Your beautiful country, once again I express You deep respect and esteem, I wish You and Your family health, happiness, new successes in the future activities.

Sincerely, 

Heydar Aliyev,
The President of the Republic of Azerbaijan