Washington D.C, 13 July 2023 (TDI): In a recent phone conversation, US Secretary of State, Antony J. Blinken, reaffirmed his firm endorsement of the ongoing peace initiatives between Armenia and Azerbaijan to the Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan.
Secretary Blinken emphasized the significance of direct dialogue and diplomatic efforts as the sole means to achieve lasting and stable peace in the South Caucasus. His commitment to facilitating this process remains unwavering.
I spoke with Armenian Prime Minister @NikolPashinyan yesterday to reiterate my strong support for ongoing efforts to secure peace with Azerbaijan. Direct dialogue and diplomacy are the only path to a durable peace in the South Caucasus and I remain committed to help facilitate.
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) July 12, 2023
During a recent discussion, US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken reiterated the United States’ support for the ongoing peace discussions between Azerbaijan and Armenia regarding the Nagorno-Karabakh region.
Secretary Blinken emphasized the crucial and continuous need for direct dialogue between both states, recognizing it as vital for progress.
Secretary Blinken further encouraged Armenia and Azerbaijan to remain steadfast in their commitment to achieving a peaceful resolution and reaching a mutually agreeable agreement.
He stressed the significance of positive developments that contribute to the establishment of sustainable peace in the region.
Azerbaijan-Armenia Conflict
The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the Nagorno-Karabakh region has a long history, characterized by periods of tense relations and armed conflicts.
Following the placement of the Nagorno-Karabakh region under the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic as an autonomous oblast in 1923, despite its predominantly Armenian population, tensions escalated between the two states after their independence from the Soviet Union in the 1990s.
This resulted in two wars, one in the 1990s and another in 2020, further fueling the dispute over the territory.
Mediation efforts and peace talks have been ongoing between Armenia and Azerbaijan, seeking to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
United States Commitment
Highlighting the United States’ commitment to facilitating peace, Secretary Blinken had a conversation with the Armenian Prime Minister on April 29, 2023.
During the call, Secretary Blinken reaffirmed continuous US support for the peace discussions between the two states, emphasizing that sustained diplomacy and dialogue remain the only viable path toward achieving lasting peace in the region.
On May 30, 2023, the US issued a press release expressing appreciation to the Armenian Prime Minister for his dedication to peace, as well as acknowledging the President of Azerbaijan’s recent remarks regarding the consideration of amnesty.
Furthermore, the United States facilitated peace talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan in Washington during the month of June, underscoring its commitment to fostering a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
