Azerbaijani American Community Urges Support for H.R. 6534

Dear Representative,

On behalf of the Azerbaijan Society of America and the Azerbaijani American community, we write to express our strong support for H.R. 6534, introduced by Representative Luna (R-FL), which seeks to lift outdated restrictions on U.S. assistance to Azerbaijan.

For more than three decades, Azerbaijan has been a reliable and strategic ally of the United States, cooperating closely on regional security, counterterrorism, energy diversification, and trans-Atlantic stability. Azerbaijani Americans have long advocated for balanced U.S. engagement in the South Caucasus that strengthens our nation’s partnerships and supports long-term peace and cooperation in the region.

Today, there is significant progress in the peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Both nations are actively engaged in negotiations toward a comprehensive agreement that would pave the way for lasting stability. Such an agreement has the potential to normalize diplomatic relations, open borders, and create new opportunities for regional trade, economic development, and people-to-people cooperation. A durable peace would allow communities to move forward, live in harmony, and pursue shared prosperity.

Unfortunately, Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act an amendment passed in 1992 under vastly different circumstances continues to impose unjust and one-sided restrictions on assistance to Azerbaijan. While successive administrations have regularly waived Section 907 due to U.S. national security interests, the statute itself remains a harmful relic that undermines bilateral relations, limits cooperation, and sends the wrong message at a critical moment in the peace process.

We therefore urge you to support H.R. 6534 and work toward the full repeal of Section 907, ensuring that U.S. policy reflects current realities rather than outdated political pressures. Removing this barrier will strengthen American interests, support ongoing peace efforts, and reinforce the vital partnership between the United States and Azerbaijan.

The Azerbaijani American community greatly appreciates your leadership and attention to this important issue. We stand ready to provide any additional information or perspective that may be helpful.

Thank you for your consideration.