U.S. 'Hopeful' For Long-Term Peace Between Azerbaijan And Armenia

Washington on Wednesday reiterated its hope for long-term peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia, following the EU’s deployment of up to 40 monitoring experts along the border, TURAN's Washington correspondent reports.

Asked by TURAN's correspondent whether the deployment of the EU mission would help to "move the needle" to bring longtime peace to the region, State Department's principal deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel said during a daily press conference: "That is our hope... And that is something that the Secretary [of State Antony Blinken] and Ambassador [Philip] Reeker and others from in this building continue to push for as they discuss this issue."

Patel went on to add, "I don’t want to get ahead of that process, but of course our ultimate goal here is a peaceful solution and resolution between Armenia and Azerbaijan."

The EU said on Monday it deployed a monitoring mission along Armenia’s border with Azerbaijan to build confidence by reporting on the situation as the two neighboring countries strive to reach an agreement on delineating their border. The EU presence will last no more than two months.

Alex Raufoglu

Washington D.C.