This week I had the opportunity to talk with the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan. During the talks with the parties, we expressed our concern about the tensions in the region.

Axar.az reports that US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said this during a briefing in New York.

Blinken said that the US opposes the use of force and that it hinders peace efforts.

Stating that a just and lasting peace would greatly benefit both countries, Blinken assessed that such a peace would be a strong change in the course of history for the better after three years of conflict.

The State Secretary also announced that they are in close contact with the parties and the European Union (EU) regarding the issue.

Drawing attention to the meeting held between the Azerbaijani authorities and the Armenian community of Karabakh, Blinken expressed the importance of negotiations and diplomacy:

"When it comes to sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence, the United States stands with everyone who suffers from it."