On June 13, the Foreign Relations Committee of the US Senate held a hearing on the nomination of US President Joe Biden for the post of Ambassador to Azerbaijan. Mark Libby, along with other diplomats, answered the senators' questions during the hearings regarding verifying the authority to lead the diplomatic missions of the United States in countries such as Azerbaijan, Djibouti, Malaysia, and Palau.

"If my nomination is approved, I promise that I will work closely with this Committee and all members of Congress to ensure the interests of the United States in Azerbaijan. Serving and protecting the citizens of the United States has been the main duty of all American diplomats, and if my nomination for this post is approved, it will be my responsibility as well and priority," he said.

Libby noted that if confirmed, it would support US efforts to promote a just and lasting peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia. "This tragic conflict has left a legacy of pain and mistrust to the parties," he said. According to him, solving the issues of territorial integrity, sovereignty, rights, and security of the region's residents, including those living in Nagorno-Karabakh, is important for any solid and decent peace. "There is no military solution to this conflict, and the United States must continue to condemn violence or threats of violence. But with the help of the United States and our European partners, the parties are closer than ever to reaching an agreement, and if they confirm me, thanks to active and persistent work in Baku, they will be able to do so. I promise to help," Libby added.

According to him, signing the peace agreement is still the first step. "If confirmed, I will lead the embassy in Baku and support the implementation of the final settlement. The successful implementation of the peace agreement will pave the way for deeper relations between the United States and Azerbaijan. It will stabilize the region and suppress adversaries who seek to use the conflict to expand their malign influence. The diplomat noted that the peace agreement will allow Washington and Baku to raise relations to a new level, especially in the fields of counter-terrorism, border, energy, and maritime security, which serves the United States national security.

"If confirmed, I will redouble our efforts in these areas," he said. Libby said that democracy in the field of human rights is the basis of US foreign policy. "Not only because it reflects our values, but also because they are the best basis for peace and prosperity. If I am confirmed, I will engage in a respectful but very open dialogue with a wide range of Azerbaijani leaders and citizens and promote these values, rights, and freedoms. I undertake to defend Azerbaijan and the region as a whole," he concluded.