US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed deep concern about the humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh and announced the imperative for humanitarian organizations to have unimpeded access to the population in need. Secretary of State Blinken stated during the press conference held in New York that in the context of the Nagorno-Karabakh problem, Washington considers the use of force unacceptable, as it contradicts the efforts made by Armenia and Azerbaijan, as well as the USA, to achieve peace.
He was asked whether the US recognizes Azerbaijan's right to restore its territorial integrity, including Nagorno-Karabakh. Blinken stated that this week he spoke with both Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, and in those conversations, he expressed the deep concern of the US regarding recent events, especially military operations by Azerbaijan.
“United States we want to make clear that the use of force is unacceptable and it runs counter to the efforts that we’ve been engaged in – but more important, both countries have been engaged in – to find a just and dignified peace in the region,” he answered.
Blinken emphasized that this is something that’s manifestly in the interests of both Azerbaijan and Armenia. Both have invested in it.
“And this is something that we’ve worked to support along with the European Union. So the actions that we saw this week simply run counter to that effort, and that kind of just and durable peace that we’re working toward would be a tremendous benefit to both countries, to the region, and also, I think, a strong change for the better in the current of history after 30 years of conflict,” said Blinken.
He also expressed concern about the humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh and announced the need for unhindered access of humanitarian organizations to the needy population.
“There have been conversations just over the last 24 hours involving Baku, involving those representing ethnic Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh. And moving back to talking, negotiating, diplomacy is where we want to drive this. When it comes to sovereignty, territorial integrity, independence, we stand for those propositions for everyone concerned,” Blinken stated.
