U.S. is committed to working with Armenia and Azerbaijan for achieving lasting peace- Ned Price

The Unites States is still working to do what it can to facilitate a comprehensive long-term peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan, U.S. Department of State spokesperson Ned Price told a press briefing on Wednesday.

YEREVAN, August 18, /ARKA/. The Unites States is still working to do what it can to facilitate a comprehensive long-term peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan, U.S. Department of State spokesperson Ned Price told a press briefing on Wednesday.

He said Secretary Blinken recently had an opportunity to engage with the leaders of these countries.

‘We did so, registering our deep concern about the recent fighting in and around Nagorno-Karabakh, including the casualties and the loss of life that had resulted from that. We urged immediate steps to reduce tensions and to avoid further escalations between the parties. And the recent increase in tensions underscores, we believe, the need for a negotiated, comprehensive, and sustainable settlement of all remaining issues related to or resulting from the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. So while we’ve seen an intensification of tensions resulting in some violence, we are going to remain committed to working with the parties. We will continue to do so bilaterally, but also with likeminded partners in the EU and through our role as an OSCE Minsk co-chair to help the countries find that long-term comprehensive peace,’ Price said.

Asked whether the U.S. sees the same level of historic opportunities that were seen three weeks ago and did not they fade away, Price said:  ‘We absolutely still see an opportunity here despite the setbacks. We always recognized this was never going to be a linear process. We believe that through continued dialogue, continued engagement, including at the senior levels, we will be in a position to do everything we can to help advance that long-term comprehensive peace.’ -0-