"Security cooperation with Azerbaijan supports our national security priorities."

APA informs that Karen Donfried, assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian affairs, said this during the hearings at the Foreign Relations Committee of the US House of Representatives.

"We are committed to advancing our bilateral priorities in cooperation with Azerbaijan.

This includes security, economic development, democracy and human rights.

Security cooperation with Azerbaijan is one of our national security priorities.

"Azerbaijan plays a very important role in the security and diversification of energy supply in the region, and we have been partnering with Azerbaijan in this field for years."

Referring to the cooperation on democracy and human rights, the US Deputy Secretary of State said that the US has always encouraged the protection of human rights in Azerbaijan and continues to do so.

At the same time, he called on the government to hold individuals who violate human rights accountable.