Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) recently praised Azerbaijan’s efforts to strengthen economic development and international relationships during a roundtable discussion at the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio.

Cuellar pointed out that Azerbaijan has one of the fastest growing economies in the region and that he believed that as a strategic partner with the United States, there are multiple opportunities to strengthen Azerbaijan’s relationship with the southern region of Texas.

"I look forward to seeing the continued development of Azerbaijan and the strengthening of our bilateral relationship," Cuellar said.

Elin Suleymanov, ambassador to the U.S. from Azerbaijan, also attended the roundtable discussion, which brought students and professors to the forum to touch on issues of foreign policy, security and economy in Azerbaijan, in addition to the U.S.-Azerbaijan relationship.

That relationship has grown since 1991, when Azerbaijan became an independent nation. Relations between the two countries are growing quickly, based on common values and mutual interests.