A letter from U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry was read to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Contract of the Century, the groundbreaking of the Southern Gas Corridor and to address the partnership with the U.S. with support of Azerbaijan’s developing energy resources.

The Contract of the Century represents the first Western investment made in the former Soviet Union.  Kerry’s letter was read by U.S. State Department Representative Amos Hochstein.

"Over the past 20 years, the U.S. has been a complete partner in Azerbaijan's efforts to develop its energy resources, contribute to European and world energy supplies, and become a strong and independent nation,” Kerry said.

Kerry said that he has high hopes that there will be further cooperation with Azerbaijan.

"The three pillars of our relationship – security, energy and economic development, and democracy and civil society – are all essential to the vision of a stronger, more stable, and more prosperous Azerbaijan," Kerry said.