The newly appointed US ambassador to Azerbaijan, Robert Cekuta said Feb. 12 that he is extremely happy to arrive in Baku.

“My wife will arrive soon and we very much look forward to our time in
Azerbaijan,” he said.

Ambassador Cekuta added that after presenting his credentials to Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev, he looks forward to meeting Azerbaijanis throughout the country.

He said he wants to hear Azerbaijanis’ thoughts and to learn about what they think is important in US-Azerbaijan relations and how they think the two countries can more actively engage.

“Through such discussions, I am certain we can strengthen the respect and
understanding of each of our countries and build a stronger relationship,” the ambassador added.

Cekuta’s recent overseas assignments include Tokyo (2007 – 2009) and Berlin (2003 – 2007) where he led the US government’s participation in the full range of economic issues.

Cekuta’s activity as Minister-Counselor for Economic Affairs at the US embassy in Germany covered counter-terrorism activities and efforts to combat international crime.

He also served as the Senior Advisor for Food Security in the Bureau of Economic, Energy, and Business Affairs and as the Senior Deputy Coordinating Director for Economic and Development Affairs at the US embassy in Kabul.

Moreover, Cekuta served as a Senior Advisor in the Office of the US Trade Representative from 1999 to 2000. He was also a Special Negotiator for Biotechnology in the Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs in 2002.

Cekuta received a BS from Georgetown University, an MA from the Thunderbird School of Global Management, and an MA from the National Defense University.