US Senate Committee Approves Mark Libby’s Nomination as Ambassador to Baku

The US Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved President Joe Biden’s nominee for the position of Ambassador to Azerbaijan late in the evening on July 13, paving the way for a likely confirmation by the full Senate in the coming days, according to Azerbaijani media reports.

“His nomination is already on the Senate’s executive calendar,” the source stated.

During the hearings on June 14, professional diplomat Mark Libby was questioned on negotiations for a peaceful resolution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, human rights, and US-Azerbaijan cooperation in security matters.

Libby stated that, if confirmed, he would support Washington's efforts to facilitate a fair and lasting peace agreement. “This tragic conflict has left a bitter legacy of pain and distrust,” he added. However, signing a peace agreement, as Libby noted, is “only the first step.”

“If confirmed, I would lead the interagency team at the embassy in Baku to support the implementation of a possible resolution,” he stated. According to Libby, the peace agreement would allow Washington and Baku to elevate their cooperation to a new level.