US State Dept hails Abu Dhabi talks between Azerbaijani, Armenian leaders

The US State Department reaffirmed its support for ongoing peace efforts between Armenia and Azerbaijan following a high-level meeting between Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Abu Dhabi on July 10.

The meeting comes just days after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed optimism about the possibility of a peace agreement between the two countries. However, US officials stopped short of confirming any direct link between Secretary Rubio’s comments and the Abu Dhabi summit, Caliber.Az reports per the department's statement. 

Speaking to reporters, State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce said the United States continues to “support those efforts to promote peace and stability in the South Caucasus.”

“We are tracking the referenced press reports in general and don’t have any additional information to share,” Bruce added.

When asked whether Washington has a concrete proposal or plan to support a peace deal between Yerevan and Baku, Bruce emphasised that Secretary Rubio’s remarks “speak for themselves.”

“This is an administration working for peace. They will do what and go wherever they need to go,” she said, adding that the administration’s commitment “has not waned.”

According to Bruce, “The core of the commitment to making America great again is improving, of course, the condition of the world around us.”

The meeting in Abu Dhabi is the latest in a series of diplomatic engagements aimed at finalizing a long-awaited peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan, following decades of conflict.

The leaders addressed a wide range of issues under the broader inter-state normalisation agenda. Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to resolving outstanding matters through direct dialogue, agreeing that bilateral negotiations are the most effective means for progress.

The July 10 talks in Abu Dhabi come at a time of renewed momentum in the peace process. Following Azerbaijan’s full restoration of sovereignty over Karabakh in 2023, Baku and Yerevan have made notable strides — including the finalisation of a draft peace treaty in March 2025.

By Sabina Mammadli