Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone

PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan spoke with U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken on Friday, March 5, according to statements from both sides.

Pashinyan said he appreciates the U.S. Government’s continued support to Armenia and the role played by the United States within the OSCE Minsk Group, his office said.

The two next weighed in on the situation in the region following the war in Nagorno-Karabakh, stressing the need to resume the peace process within the OSCE Minsk Group format. The Armenian Premier called Blinken's attention to the need for Azerbaijan to immediately return the prisoners of war, hostages and people held in captivity. In this context, the U.S. side highlighted the Minsk Group co-chairs’ activities and voiced readiness to continue its role in helping resolve the conflict. The Secretary of State stressed the importance of developing close partnerships with Armenia. He hailed Armenia’s achievements in the field of democracy and assured that the United States will continue to assist Armenia with the ongoing reform process.

Both sides stressed the need for strengthening the rule of law, fighting corruption and advancing the judiciary and police reforms in Armenia.

Armenia established diplomatic relations with the United States in 1992, following its independence from the Soviet Union. The U.S. is a co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, which is mandated to help find a peaceful solution to the conflict in Karabakh.