Time to consider officially ending OSCE Minsk Group's activities President Aliyev suggests to Antony Blinken in a phone call

On June 20, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken initiated a telephone conversation with the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.

Caliber.Az reports via Azerbaijani media that during the telephone conversation, Antony Blinken hailed the progress made in advancing the peace agenda between Armenia and Azerbaijan, emphasizing that the United States is determined to continue supporting the normalization of relations between the two countries. He invited the parties to sign the peace agreement shortly. Noting the importance the United States attaches to its bilateral relations with Azerbaijan, the Secretary of State underlined the constructive cooperation between the two countries in achieving common goals in climate change and the energy sector. Antony Blinken said that his country supports renewed and stronger bilateral relations with Azerbaijan. He also added that the United States would spare no effort in delivering a successful COP29 to be hosted by Azerbaijan.

Noting that peace has been ensured in the region and that the Azerbaijani side was an initiator of the text and underlying principles of the peace treaty, President Ilham Aliyev stressed the ongoing efforts to advance the normalization process and the peace agenda on a bilateral basis. Praising the United States’ determination to contribute to the peace agenda, the head of state underscored the importance of Armenia ceasing its territorial claims against Azerbaijan, which are enshrined in the constitution, relevant laws, and internal regulations of Armenia, in order to advance the peace agenda.

President Ilham Aliyev emphasized that it is long overdue to officially terminate the non-functional OSCE Minsk Group’s activities and all associated institutions to officially close the chapter on the conflict, which is a relic of the past. President Ilham Aliyev touched upon the long-standing successful cooperation between the two countries in the energy sector. He hailed the fruitful collaboration between the delegations of both countries in the fight against climate change and the preparations for COP29 and thanked the United States for their intention to support the successful hosting of COP29. The head of state emphasized Azerbaijan's value for relations with the USA and supported further strengthening and elevating the bilateral ties to a qualitatively new level.

During the phone conversation, they expressed satisfaction with the high-level exchange of letters between our countries, and reciprocal visits of delegations, and shared their views on important issues such as human rights, democracy, and respect for the rule of internal laws in countries.