Aliyev informed Blinken about Armenian provocation on Lachin road and its use for smuggling

Baku/13.07.23/Turan: The press service of the President of Azerbaijan distributed a message about a telephone conversation on July 12 between Head of State Ilham Aliyev and US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken.

According to the press release, Blinken, expressing the continued support of the United States for talks on peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, noted the importance of "a creative and mutual concessions-based approach to the negotiation process." He stressed the importance of crossing the Lachin border and customs checkpoint and the importance of "maintaining positive dynamics in negotiations to achieve sustainable peace."

For his part, Aliyev stressed Azerbaijan's commitment to the peace agenda aimed at normalizing relations with Armenia, and stated that Baku, as the initiator of the peace treaty between the two countries, supports its signing. The Head of State highly appreciated the constant support provided by Blinken and the US government to promote the peace agenda between the two countries as saying that another high-level meeting with the Armenian side will be held in the coming days.

Aliyev added that Azerbaijan ensured the transportation of humanitarian goods, individual crossings and medical evacuation through the Lachin border and customs checkpoint. However, on June 15, an armed provocation of Armenia took place, and cases of smuggling in humanitarian goods transported under aegis of the International Committee of the Red Cross were also revealed. The President stressed that these facts are currently being investigated. -06B-