The United States reaffirmed its willingness to work with Armenia and Azerbaijan in any framework that ensures progress toward peace. This statement was made by the US State Department in response to a question posed by the Voice of America Armenian Service.
“The United States Government supports the efforts of Armenia and Azerbaijan to achieve a lasting and equitable peace agreement, essential to a secure and prosperous South Caucasus,” the State Department said, adding that Washington is ready to cooperate with the parties in any format.
Washington has increased its declarations in favor of a peace agreement between Yerevan and Baku, exerting constant pressure for the two parties to sign such a treaty. Several meetings between the Armenian and Azerbaijani foreign ministers were organized by the United States with this in mind.
Persistent differences between Yerevan and Baku
While Yerevan claims that there is no basis for further military escalation and raises the possibility of quickly concluding a peace treaty, Baku is adopting a more threatening stance. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev accuses Armenia of obstructing peace, demands that it modify its Constitution and denounces its recent arms purchases (while increasing its military budget to record levels, editor’s note).
Furthermore, Baku continues to question the relevance of the OSCE Minsk Group, whose role in the mediation process is regularly criticized by the Azerbaijani authorities.
Belgium
