This week U.S. Secretary of State Hilary Clinton held a phone conversation with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Spokesman for State Department Philip Crowley told a briefing on December 16.

“They discussed the strategically important partnership between our two countries. She reiterated to President Aliyev that the U.S. relationship with Azerbaijan remain strong, and she took the opportunity to convey her regret for the WikiLeaks disclosures,” he said.

“Azerbaijan remains a key partner of the United States, including serving as a member of the ISAF coalition in Afghanistan and cooperating with us on – closely to – on counterterrorism and other important security issues,” Crowley added.