The United States continues to work for a comprehensive and long-term peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan, the US State Department spokesperson Ned Price announced in a press conference.

He reminded that US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken recently had contacts with Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan and President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev. 

“Thus, we have expressed our deep concern regarding the recent battles registered in and around Nagorno-Karabakh, which resulted in human casualties and injuries. We called for immediate steps to ease tensions and avoid further escalations between the parties. We believe that the recent increase in tension has emphasized the need to settle all other issues related to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict or arising from it in a negotiated, comprehensive and stable manner,” noted Price, emphasizing that the US remains committed to continuing to work with the parties.

“We will continue doing this both bilaterally and with like-minded partners in the European Union, and as a co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, to help countries find long-term comprehensive peace,” stated the spokesperson of the State Department.

According to Price, despite the escalation of tensions in recent weeks, however, the United States continues to see that there is an opportunity. 

“We have always accepted that this will not be a linear process. We believe that with continued dialogue and engagement, including at the highest levels, we will be able to do everything possible to help to get to long-term comprehensive peace,” concluded Price.