U.S. applauds Armenia and Azerbaijan's "courage, determination"

PanARMENIAN.Net - The United States applauds Armenia and Azerbaijan for the "courage and determination" they show on the "path to a durable peace", Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken said in his opening remarks ahead of a meeting with Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov.

"The United States is committed to the peace negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Direct dialogue is the best way to a truly durable peace, and we are very pleased to support that," Blinken said.

"The United States strongly supports the sovereignty and territorial independence of both Armenia and Azerbaijan, and the 1991 restoration of independence was a vitally important moment in guaranteeing the rights of both countries, rights that we strongly support."

Blinken noted that 30-plus years of conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh have had tremendous human, material costs – lives lost, scars that are deep.

"But what we are seeing now are real steps, and courageous steps, by both countries to put the past behind and to work toward a durable peace. Both countries are working to that end and to, ultimately, a brighter future for the South Caucasus – a future of peace, countries at peace, countries working together for a better future," the diplomat added.

"And I’d simply say that the United States, as a friend to both Armenia and Azerbaijan, is committed to doing everything that we can to support you in this effort; to walk the path to a durable peace with you, to help in any way that we can. This is, I think, the promise of a better, brighter future. And I applaud both of you and your governments for the courage and determination that you’re showing to get to that destination."

Mirzoyan earlier met with with Erika Olson, the U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State and Philip Reeker, the U.S. Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group and Senior Advisor for Caucasus Negotiations.