Peace 'Still Possible' and Human Rights 'Always On The Table' — State Dept. On Blinken's Call To Baku

Washington D.C./01.08.23/Turan:    The United States said on Monday it "continues to believe" that a peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia "is within reach," TURAN's Washington correspondent reports.

"We continue to talk about a peace agreement and we continue to believe that a peace agreement is within reach," State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told a daily briefing when responding to TURAN's questions about the recent phone call between Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Azerbaijan's Ilham Aliyev.

The spokesperson went on to add,  "... However, we have always said that for it to be within reach both parties have to make difficult compromises, and that’s why the Secretary has been remained engaged in talking to the leaders of both Armenia and Azerbaijan to encourage them to make those difficult compromises so we can – they can reach an agreement."

Asked if the situation had been worsening in the region, Miller refused to offer any assessment.

TURAN also asked the spokesperson if the Secretary had raised the issue of human rights with President Aliyev in the wake of the recent arrest of Qubad Ibadoglu, Miller said, "human rights is always on the table for the United States, and we raise our concerns publicly and privately."

Alex Raufoglu