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Posted: Saturday, February 21, 2015 1:50 am | Updated: 1:51 am, Sat Feb 21, 2015.

Judith Rayo
LAREDO MORNING TIMES

With the development of TAMIU’s Petroleum Engineering Program, Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to the United States Elin Suleymanov spoke to a majority of business major students on the history of the Asian country and the business opportunities available there.

It was Suleymanov’s second visit to Laredo and speaking to students at Texas A&M International University.

Joined by TAMIU President Ray Keck, Mayor Pete Saenz, and Congressman Henry Cuellar, Suleymanov said he was excited to be back.

Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, Azerbaijan is known for its oil and gas fields and production of carpets.

Cuellar said the Shah Deniz gas field, located in the South Caspian Sea, is expected to be one of the largest gas development projects in the world.

The gas field was discovered in 1999 and is considered to be the founding link for Southern Gas Corridor.

Suleymanov said with the world changing at a fast pace, it’s important to keep students informed on opportunities available in the region.

“It’s a unique opportunity to be here,” he said.

In October 2011, Suleymanov was appointed as Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to the United States by Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev.

Before his appointment, Suleymanov was the nation’s first Consul General to Los Angeles and the Western States leading team for over five years.

A graduate of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy in Medford, Massachusetts, Suleymanov is fluent in Azerbaijani, English, Russian, Turkish and Czech.

“Now he needs to learn Spanish,” Cuellar said.

Cuellar said he will announce in the near future a partnership between TAMIU and the Association of the Friends of Azerbaijan.

“The ability for two institutions to collaborate on academic and student exchange programs, research, sponsorship of conferences and symposia will be beneficial for everyone involved,” he said.

“This future agreement, through the sharing of ideas and expertise within the oil and gas sector will help bring the United States and Azerbaijan even closer together.

http://www.lmtonline.com/news/local/article_4a4956e6-b99e-11e4-9fa1-87870498667d.html