U.S. expects Aliyev to abide by commitment to accept observer mission, refrain from military action in Nagorno-Karabakh

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 27, ARMENPRESS. U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke with Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev on September 26 to emphasize the need for Azerbaijan to refrain from further hostilities in Nagorno-Karabakh and provide unhindered humanitarian access, the U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a press release.

According to the readout, Secretary Blinken called on President Aliyev to provide assurances to the residents of Nagorno-Karabakh that they can live secure in their homes and that their rights will be protected. Blinken urged the Azerbaijani President to commit to “broad amnesty and allow an international observer mission” into Nagorno-Karabakh, and noted the President’s “public commitments to help build a future for all those in Nagorno-Karabakh based on peace, mutual understanding, and mutual respect.”

U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller then spoke about the call during a press briefing.

“The Secretary spoke again to President Aliyev today and underscored the urgency of no further hostilities, that there be unconditional protections and freedom of movement for civilians, that there be unhindered humanitarian access to Nagorno-Karabakh,” Miller said.

According to Miller, the Azerbaijani President told Blinken that there will be no further military action and that he would accept an observer mission.

“And I will say that we note, and the Secretary noted in that call, that the president, President Aliyev, has said there will be no further military action and we expect him to abide by that. He has also said that he would accept an observer mission, and we would expect him to abide by that,” Miller said.

Miller said that the exact mechanism for international monitors in the region is “something that remains in discussion with our allies and partners in the region.”