The U.S. and Azerbaijan have a very close relationship on many important issues, U.S. Secretary of State said.

"Today, we're going to discuss how we can expand and deepen that relationship. I'm delighted that the minister could come so early in the Obama Administration so that we could begin these discussions," Mrs. Hillary Clinton said welcoming Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov.

"As you know, Azerbaijan has a very strategic location that is one that is important not only to their country, but really, regionally and globally. And so they're in a position to take increasing responsibility and leadership on these important matters," she said.

For his part, Mr. Mammadyarov said it's a great pleasure to be back in Washington and back to State Department. "I'm appreciative for this invitation. And I am absolutely sure that this meeting will move forward the strategic partnership which exists between Azerbaijan and United States. And I am ready to discuss all the issues of mutual interest; in our mind, it's global or it's regional or it's bilateral," he said.