US plans to form first working groups with Azerbaijan, Armenia by year’s end

The US government plans to establish the first working groups with Azerbaijan and Armenia before the end of this year, the US State Department’s press service said.

The statement noted that Washington continues to deepen cooperation with Azerbaijan and Armenia based on the agreements reached and will ensure the establishment of the first working groups with both governments by year’s end, Caliber.Az reports, citing local media.

“The United States is committed to implementing the historic Joint Declarations and Memoranda of Understanding signed on August 8 in Washington and will ensure the creation of the first working groups with both governments by the end of the year,” the statement said.

The State Department also welcomed the ongoing dialogue and recent practical steps between Azerbaijan and Armenia. It emphasised that Washington is closely monitoring the meetings between the two sides and the implementation of the agreements reached:

“We welcome the recent substantive discussions on infrastructure development aimed at border delimitation, demining, and support for the TRIPP project between representatives of Azerbaijan and Armenia. We also positively assess Azerbaijan’s recent decision to allow cargo transit through Armenian territory, as well as the meeting between civil society representatives of both countries in Yerevan. US-led initiatives, together with these efforts, will attract private investment and mark the beginning of a new era of prosperity for Azerbaijan, Armenia, and beyond,” the statement said.

US–Azerbaijan Strategic Working Group

The US–Azerbaijan Strategic Working Group will begin its work in the near future, the US State Department’s press service stated.

According to the statement, this initiative aims to launch a new stage of cooperation between the two countries:

“The charter of the US–Azerbaijan Strategic Working Group will, for the first time, lay the foundation for a strategic partnership between the United States and Azerbaijan, expanding cooperation in the fields of regional connectivity, economic investment, and security.”

The US government also plans to establish the first working groups with Azerbaijan and Armenia by the end of this year.

By Khagan Isayev