US praises progress in Azerbaijan-Armenia peace talks following New York meeting

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has commended the progress made by Azerbaijan and Armenia toward achieving a lasting peace, following a trilateral meeting held in New York.

The meeting took place during the UN General Assembly High-Level Week, with the participation of Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov.

In a press release issued by US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller, Secretary Blinken acknowledged the efforts of both nations in advancing the peace process, Caliber.Az reports.

"Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken held a trilateral meeting with Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov today in New York during the UN General Assembly High-Level Week. Secretary Blinken commended both ministers on the progress Armenia and Azerbaijan have made toward a durable and dignified peace and encouraged continued progress by both countries to finalize an agreement as soon as possible. The Secretary underscored that a peace agreement would bring increased stability and prosperity to the region," the statement said.

The meeting, aimed at facilitating dialogue between the two South Caucasus nations, concluded with both parties agreeing to intensify efforts toward finalizing the Agreement on the Establishment of Peace and Interstate Relations.

In a further sign of diplomatic progress, both Armenia and Azerbaijan expressed their gratitude to Secretary Blinken for his role in organizing the meeting and for the US's ongoing support in mediating the peace talks. The development signals a potential breakthrough in efforts to bring long-term stability to the region after years of conflict.

By Vugar Khalilov