Azerbaijan-Armenia: White House Says Engaged 'On Routine Basis' To Achieve Better Outcome Diplomatically

Washington D.C./17.08.23/Turan:    The White House said on Wednesday that it remains 'engaged' on to help Azerbaijan and Armenia to achieve peace diplomatically, TURAN's Washington correspondent  reports.

"We have maintained a level of dialogue and diplomacy at various levels, and that continues – all the way from the National Security Council (NSC), Mr.[Jake] Sullivan and Mr. [Jon] Finer, to over at the State Department,"  White House NSC Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby told TURAN's correspondent during a briefing organized by the State Department's Washington Foreign Press Center. "I mean, we are engaged on a routine basis to see if we can achieve a better outcome diplomatically," he added.

Kirby also highlighted Washington's 'deep concern' about the Lachin corridor. "We want to see that corridor opened up again," he said, adding: "We continue to urge the Government of Azerbaijan to restore free transit of commercial, humanitarian, and private vehicles through the corridor expeditiously"

Kirby's comments came as the U.N. Security Council convened Wednesday afternoon to consider an appeal from Armenia to respond to the situation in Karabakh.

Linda Thomas-Greenfield, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, who currently serves as president of the Security Council, said in her speech that current peace discussions between Azerbaijan and Armenia "require all parties to exercise creativity, flexibility, and compromise."

"And let me be clear: peace in the region must include protections for the rights and security of individuals in Nagorno-Karabakh," she added.

The U.S. urges restraint and the immediate cessation of any activities that undermine the peace process, the Ambassador added "And we call on all sides to fully meet their obligations under international humanitarian law. The international community must continue to engage diplomatically to facilitate dialogue and a durable, dignified peace."

She went on to elaborate: "Negotiations are vital to a lasting peace. And we support any format that allows Armenia and Azerbaijan to continue dialogue toward a peaceful resolution to the conflict. We encourage all parties to engage in direct talks, including between officials in Baku and representatives of the population of Nagorno-Karabakh."

She concluded: "The U.S. is committed to promoting a peaceful, democratic, and prosperous future for the South Caucasus region. And we will continue to engage bilaterally and multilaterally with all partners to help build this brighter future"

Alex Raufoglu