US welcomes progress in peace talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan, as tensions rise over border dispute

Photo: Secretary Antony Blinken Twitter account (@SecBlinken), posted on 9:51 PM, May 1, 2023

The peace talks between the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan, which began on May 1 in Washington, have been welcomed by the White House.

The US government has called for the dialogue between the two countries to continue and has expressed hope for a lasting and fair agreement that will benefit both nations and the region as a whole. US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan held a meeting with the Armenian and Azerbaijani foreign ministers, Ararat Mirzoyan and Jeyhun Bayramov, respectively, and stressed the importance of achieving sustainable peace in the South Caucasus region through direct dialogue.

On May 3, the two ministers made progress in their discussions, but no concrete results were announced. The spokesperson of the State Department, Vedant Patel, said that the Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, who will participate in the final meeting of the peace talks on May 4, is deeply involved in the matter and believes that peace between the two countries is possible.

However, tensions remain high between Armenia and Azerbaijan, with both sides accusing each other of violating agreements and occupying territories.

On April 23, Azerbaijan unilaterally established a border crossing point on the border with Armenia, at the beginning of the Lachin-Khankendi road, to supposedly “prevent the transportation of personnel, ammunition, and other military equipment from Armenia to illegal armed groups in the territory of Azerbaijan”.

Russia called on both countries to return to the existing agreements, expressing extreme concern over the increase in violations of the ceasefire regime. The United States and France have also condemned Azerbaijan’s move, suggesting that it may hinder the peace process.

In a meeting with Jake Sullivan on May 3, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan accused Azerbaijan of inciting hatred towards Armenians and threatening them with the use of force. He warned that Azerbaijan’s behavior indicated the intention and real danger of subjecting Armenians to ethnic cleansing in the region.

In response, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov accused Armenia of occupying some territories of Azerbaijan and violating its territorial integrity. He emphasized that Baku is interested in establishing peace and stability in the region and in agreeing and signing a peace agreement.

Jake Sullivan reiterated the United States’ interest in ensuring peace and stability in the region and in the successful conclusion of negotiations on a peace agreement.

The final meeting of the peace talks between the Armenian and Azerbaijani foreign ministers, which will be attended by Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, is scheduled to take place on May 4 in Washington.

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