‘Use of force never an acceptable path’ – US State Department welcomes ceasefire on Armenian-Azerbaijani border

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 16, ARMENPRESS. The United States welcomes continued adherence to the ceasefire between Armenia and Azerbaijan, State Department Spokesperson Ned Price said at a press briefing.

“We’re continuing to urge the parties to engage in the peace process. We urge that a cessation of hostilities be maintained, and we urge the disengagement of military forces and work to resolve all outstanding issues between Armenia and Azerbaijan through peaceful negotiations. Use of force is never an acceptable path, and we are glad that the continued engagement at high levels in Armenia and Azerbaijan has helped the sides reach a ceasefire. We continue to engage and encourage the work needed to reach a lasting peace. Again, there can be no military solution to this”, Ned Price said.

He reminded that Ambassador Reeker, the US senior advisor and the Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, has been in the region and is now in Vienna meeting with likeminded partners in the OSCE. Ned Price also said that Assistant Secretary Donfried has been in contact with her foreign minister counterparts in the region. Ambassador Reeker has spoken with President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev. “The Secretary, of course, has had an opportunity a couple days ago now to speak to both leaders. I would expect that he will have an opportunity to speak to the leaders again. He has been personally focused on this and will remain engaged going forward”, he added.