US Def. Minister Gates Handed Obama's Letter to Aliyev

US Defense Minister Robert Gates visited Azerbaijan Sunday.

Prior to this visited he underlined the importance of Azerbaijan's participation in the military efforts in Afghanistan.

"The provision of airspace by Azerbaijan and the possibility of transportation [of goods] via land are certainly very important for US. This transit means with the participation of tens of countries is an important investment in the international relationship" Gates told journalists on his way from Singapore to Azerbaijan, according to US Defense Ministry official website.

This is Gate's first visit to Azerbaijan.

On Sunday he met Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and handed him US President Barak Obama's letter.

He is set to meet also his Azerbaijani counterpart Safar Abiyev later today.

According to Azerbaijani press Gates said one of the reasons he visits Baku is that the Azerbaijani government is of the opinion that US does not pay due attention to the important role Azerbaijan plays.

"I wanted to come, to meet President Aliyev and assure him that it is not so," Gates was reported as saying.