AZERBAIJANI INDEPENDENCE TWENTIETH ANNIVERSARY

That this House congratulates Azerbaijan on the 20th anniversary of its independence from the Soviet Union on 18 October 1991; notes that in this time it has joined the Council of Europe and formed close links with the EU; recognises the vital assistance which it has provided to NATO in Iraq and Afghanistan; further recognises that it provides a valuable alternative source of oil and gas for the European market; applauds the fact that despite being a predominantly Muslim country it has thriving Christian and Jewish communities; further notes that it now has one of the fastest growing economies in the world and that the UK is the principal source of foreign direct investment; and wishes the country well on its path towards becoming a fully-fledged member of the community of European democratic states.