Baku, 12 September 2022 (TDI): The Embassy of the US in Azerbaijan announced the Press Release of the US State Department regarding the fund of US$ 2 million. The following funds in the shape of US$ 2 million are for the promotion of regional peace and cooperation in the South Caucasus.
The peace effort is to secure the previous battlefields between Armenia and Azerbaijan with the assistance of the US. The provision of humanitarian assistance by the US State Department was to aim the demining efforts at the areas where Azerbaijan and Armenia fought.
As per the Press Release by the US State Department, there are several areas between Azerbaijan and Armenia where landmines exist.
The unexploded bombs and landmines continue to kill civilians in the South Caucasus. The problem of mines is still a considerable threat to the Karabakh region.
The existence of such landmines had blocked the economic development there. This fund will also help in bolstering human security measures. This will also help the displaced people to return to their homes.
Role in Armenia-Azerbaijan Peace Efforts
The United States played an important role to de-escalate the decades-long conflict between Baku and Yerevan over the mountain enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh. The former Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo met the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia separately in 2020.
The US also sent its diplomatic teams to both warring capitals for the resolution of crisis and conflict. That was no doubt an important step during the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war.
The US also held meetings with foreign ministers and other officials of Russia and France at that time to negotiate a way forward.
Washington DC along with Turkey coordinated to secure the areas that were taken by Azerbaijan. These efforts helped in stopping of disruption of the supply of Azeri oil and gas in the region.
The US administration under President Biden also took the relevant matter seriously. The serving State Secretary of the US, Anthony Blinken encouraged the peace deal between the two sides.
Secretary Blinken favored the existing efforts by the European Union and the Minsk Group to bring common ground. Therefore, it was also added that the US assistance helped Azerbaijan to cede the swathes of land over which Baku has claimed.
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