Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton met with civil society and youth leaders on July 4 in Azerbaijan for an informal discussion during her one day visit to Baku. Among the ten invited participants, Jeyhun Karamov '99 (Chairman of the U.S.-Educated Azerbaijan Alumni Association and Muskie alumnus), Leyla Aslanova '07 (FLEX Alumni Coordinator), and Roya Talibova '02 (Presidential Administration) represented the FLEX program, an initiative of American Councils for International Education and the U.S. Department of State.

During her conversation with Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov, Secretary Clinton said, "We have many vibrant cultural and commercial ties, many exchanges, particularly educational exchanges. I met five young people today who have come on exchanges to study in the United States, and I would like to see that expanded, and I would like to see American students and professionals and academics and others coming here."

FLEX Alumni Coordinator Leyla Aslanova asked the Secretary what role she sees U.S.-educated alumni playing in Azerbaijan society. Clinton responded that alumni should continue to foster ties between Americans and Azerbaijanis by sharing their experiences and encouraging more students to apply to study in the U.S.

Aslanova said, "It was an honor to meet with Secretary Clinton and see her how open she was to listening to Azerbaijani youth. I was proud to learn what an important role Azerbaijan plays for the Obama administration. I look forward to staying in touch with her."

The Secretary's trip takes her to Poland, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia, where she will hold meetings with government officials and civil society leaders to discuss bilateral issues, as well as issues related to regional peace and stability.

For more information on Secretary Clinton’s visit to Azerbaijan:

http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/site/entry/travel_diary_azerbaijani_civil_society

http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2010/07/143957.htm

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/04/AR2010070402459.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/05/world/05clinton.html