U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev signed a strategic partnership charter in Baku on February 10.

Vance flew to Baku yesterday following his visit to Armenia.

Aliyev, at a joint press conference following the signing ceremony, stressed the economic importance of the TRIPP initiative, saying it will connect Asia and Europe via the new route.

See video HERE

Aliyev noted that TRIPP will also bolster peace and stability in the South Caucasus.

Vance conveyed U.S. President Trump’s warm greeting to Aliyev and noted Azerbaijan’s participation in the “global fight against terrorism.”

He said Azerbaijani soldiers in Afghanistan, fighting alongside U.S. soldiers, earned the reputation as “one of the toughest and fiercest troops in the world.”

Vance praised the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan for working to achieve peace under the leadership of U.S. President Trump.

He also claimed that the TRIPP initiative will bolster the peace deal by bringing Armenia and Azerbaijan closer together both economically and via cultural contacts.

Vance said that other than Trump, Aliyev is the only world leader that has good relations with “the Turks and the Israelis.”

“This means that one, the food here is really good or that he (Aliyev-ed.) is really charming. I can confirm that he is very charming,” Vance remarked.

Photo: France 24