U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken emphasized the need to prevent further hostilities in South Caucasus.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken emphasized the need to prevent further hostilities in South Caucasus at a meeting with Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov on Monday, September 19.

The talks were a first since Azerbaijan’s latest round of aggression against Armenia, whic left 207 people dead or missing.

“Secretary Blinken conveyed condolences for the lives lost and emphasized the need to prevent further hostilities, underscoring the importance of returning to the peace process,” the Department of State said in a statement.

“They discussed next steps, and the Secretary encouraged the sides to meet again before the end of the month.”