U.S. ‘would welcome a role’ in facilitating Armenia-Azerbaijan negotiations

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 21, ARMENPRESS. The United States continues to engage the leadership of Armenia and Azerbaijan and offer to facilitate a dignified and durable peace where the rights of all are respected, U.S. Department of State spokesperson Matthew Miller said in Washington on Monday.

“I will say that we continue to engage the leadership of both countries and offer to facilitate a dignified and durable peace where the rights of all are respected. It is important that Armenia and Azerbaijan discuss and resolve issues directly to benefit the region. We would welcome a role in facilitating those talks. We’ve seen other countries offer to facilitate those talks. We think it’s important that the two countries talk face to face to reach a durable agreement,” Miller said at a press briefing.

Miller refused to comment on the U.S.-mediated Armenian-Azerbaijani foreign ministerial negotiations that were scheduled to take place on November 20, but were cancelled after Azerbaijan opted out.

Asked whether the U.S. still continues offering Washington as a potential platform for the talks, Miller said: “As I just said, we would be willing to facilitate those talks, as we have in the past, and we welcome other countries doing so as well.”