Excellency Foreign Minister

XL OAS GENERAL ASSEMBLY DIALOGUE AMONG THE HEADS OF DELEGATION, THE OAS SECRETARY GENERAL, AND THE HEADS OF DELEGATION OF THE PERMANENT OBSERVER COUNTRIES ON THE THEME OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY SESSION: “PEACE, SECURITY, AND COOPERATION IN THE AMERICAS”

REMARKS FROM THE HEAD OF DELEGATION OF THE PERMANENT OBSERVER COUNTRY OF

AZERBAIJAN

JUNE 6, 2010 Excellency President Alan Garcia, Excellency Foreign Minister Jose Antonio Garcia Belaunde, Secretary General Jose Moguel Insulza, Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen,

I am honored to address the 40th Regular Session of the General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS) as the Permanent Observer of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and extend my sincere appreciation to the Government of Peru for organizing this important event in the beautiful city of Lima.

I would also like to use this opportunity to express our condolences and sympathy to the governments and peoples of Haiti and Chile, especially to the families of victims of the devastating earthquakes which occurred in these countries earlier this year.

Azerbaijan has joined the OAS in 2001 and remains committed to advancing productive cooperation with the Organization and its Member States. Regardless long physical distance between us, we share many common values, goals and objectives, including advancing economic development, rule of law, democracy and human rights, and multidimensional security.

The central theme of this Assembly “Peace, Security and Cooperation in the Americas” is very important. This topic is equally important to us. As a country that has suffered from the scourge of war and is situated in proximity to other regional conflicts, Azerbaijan has contributed and is determined to contribute to peace and stability in the region of South Caucasus and beyond.

Azerbaijan participates in international counter-terrorism efforts and undertook a number of important practical measures to that end. Azerbaijan is a party to major international instruments on disarmament and non-proliferation.

Our country supports efforts for eradication of poverty and promotion of sustained economic growth, sustainable development and global prosperity for all. In the last 5 years Azerbaijan has provided humanitarian assistance to and contributed to the implementation of national development policies and strategies in a number of countries from different regions.

We pay special attention to our cooperation with the Organization of American States, an important actor in the international arena. Expressing our support to the OAS and proceeding from the importance of the main topic of this General Assembly, we would like to make our contribution and pledge $10,000 into the OAS Peace Fund, $10,000 into the Inter-American Children’s Institute, and $5,000 into the Americas Magazine.

I am confident that our relations with the OAS and its Member States will be further strengthened, and that we will continue our mutually beneficial work.

In conclusion, I would like to convey to this august Body our best wishes and successful deliberations.

Thank you for your attention.