Azerbaijan-Armenia: Direct Dialogue 'Essential' To Resolving Longstanding Conflict, U.S. Says

Washington D.C./17.10.23/Turan:   The United States said on Monday it remains 'deeply concerned' about remaining outstanding political, economic, humanitarian, and security issues between Azerbaijan and Armenia, TURAN's Washington correspondent reports.

"...[A]nd we continue to engage the leadership of both countries in pursuit of a dignified and durable peace where the rights of all are respected," a State Department spokesperson told TURAN in response to an inquiry about the U.S. position on the current state of the conflict following Azerbaijan's raising its flag in Khankendi over the weekend.

In his victory speech last weekend, President Ilham Aliyev had said that his country "achieved what we wanted." and that it "fulfilled" the dream the Azerbaijani people have lived with for decas..

"As we have said, the use of force is unacceptable and direct dialogue is essential to resolving this longstanding conflict," a State Department spokesperson told TURAN's Washington correspondent Monday afternoon.

The spokesperson went on to add, "We continue to support the Armenian government’s efforts, in close coordination with humanitarian organizations, to help displaced persons find shelter and comfort in Armenia.  We empathize with the displaced people, knowing the shock and trauma they are going through, and the uncertainty they face,"

Azerbaijan's 24-hour military operation last month reportedly ended three decades of rule by ethnic Armenians in the region, which is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan.

Alex Raufoglu