DRAFT POTUS LETTER TO PRESIDENT ALIYEV

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAKU 001127 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/25/2018 TAGS: PGOV PREL AJ ENRG SUBJECT: DRAFT POTUS LETTER TO PRESIDENT ALIYEV Classified By: Ambassador Anne E. Derse, Reasons 1.4 (b,d) (C) Embassy Baku recommends that POTUS send President Aliyev the following letter: Dear Mr. President: Congratulations on the great success of the November 13-14 Baku Energy Summit. We appreciate your leadership in hosting a conference that drew wide participation from regional and European leaders, and expanded discussion to include vitally important Southern Corridor issues, including transit of gas to Europe across the Caspian. Azerbaijan's signing of two key agreements during this Summit, with Kazakhstan on the transit of Kazakh oil and with Georgia for a multi-year gas supply contract, highlight the key role that Azerbaijan is playing in developing regional hydrocarbon resources and bringing them to world markets, and promoting regional cooperation, stability and development. Azerbaijan's continued leadership to link Caspian energy reserves with European markets is indispensable. We appreciate that Azerbaijan remains a strong partner in promoting energy security. I also thank you for the warm welcome extended to the Presidential Delegation headed by Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman. The delegation was a sign of the importance the U.S. ascribed to Baku Energy Summit. The United States remains firmly committed to strengthening our bilateral relationship, and to developing the Southern Corridor for gas and oil transit. We will continue to work with our European allies and with Turkey to promote the conditions necessary for Caspian gas to transit Turkey to European and global markets. We aso applaud your efforts to bring Turkmen gas to Turkish and European markets, and stand ready to help as needed. Sincerely, George W. Bush DERSE