Azerbaijani authorities correctly accepts US policy

He attributed the spread of information on submission strict terms by the United States to Azerbaijan as 'unhealthy tendency'. "The last developments in Azerbaijan correspond to interests of the Azerbaijani authorities from the aspect of the development and future of the country. There is no disagreement between Azerbaijan and the United States. We well understand that Azerbaijan should develop, undergo definite reforms, free and transparent elections," he noted.

Mammadov regarded the charges by MPs to US Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Reno Harnish, in connection with his tour of regions as his 'private opinions'. The Ambassador can tour the region and hold talks there. He carries out the US policy and we are informed of that," Mammadov underlined.

Touching upon the recent visit by US Defense Secretary Donald Ramsfeld to Azerbaijan last week Mammadov said it mirrored the high-level bilateral relationships. At present Azerbaijan and the United States strengthen the relationships in the sphere of strengthening security and combating international terror. Mammadov also mentioned the security of the Baku-Tbilisi- Ceyhan (BTC) main export oil pipeline and Caspian fields.

As to Ramsfeld's failure to meet with the head of state Mammadov does not anything extraordinary in it. The Azerbaijani President's visit to another country was scheduled earlier like Ramsfeld's visit.

He did not comment on forthcoming visit of US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice, noting that such visits would open wide opportunities in our relationships.