U.S. Encouraged Aliyev, Pashinyan To 'Meet In Whatever Format Is Most Useful To Them" — State Department

The State Department said on Wednesday that it has encouraged both Azerbaijani and Armenian leaders to "meet in whatever format is most useful to them," the department's principal deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel said during the daily press conference.

"The Secretary [of State Antony Blinken] has emphasized that the U.S. is committed to Armenia‑Azerbaijan peace negotiations, and we have encouraged both leaders to meet in whatever format is most useful to them," Patel said in response to TURAN's correspondent's questions.

Our viewpoint is that direct dialogue is key to resolving these issues and reaching a lasting peace," he said.

Patel went on to add, "There is no greater supporter than the U.S. for the sovereignty and independence of the three countries in the South Caucasus, and the restoration of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia’s independence in 1991 when the Soviet Union was a seminal event that guaranteed each of these countries the right to pursue their own foreign policy interests and sovereignty."

Armenian authorities confirmed on Wednesday that Pashinyan will meet with Aliyev and Russia's Putin in Sochi on October 31.

Alex Raufoglu

Washington D.C.