Blinken calls for simultanious opening of Lachin and Aghdam routes  

Washington D.C./10.09.23/Turan:     The U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken Sunday morning issued a statement on Nagorno-Karabakh urging the leaders against taking any actions that raise tensions or distract from this goal, TURAN's Washington correspondent reports.

"The use of force to resolve disputes is unacceptable," Blinken said in a statement.

The United States is 'deeply concerned' about the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh.

"We note that humanitarian supplies are positioned near both the Lachin and Aghdam routes, and we repeat our call for the immediate and simultaneous opening of both corridors to allow passage of desperately needed humanitarian supplies to the men, women, and children in Nagorno-Karabakh," the Secretary noted.

He went on to add, "In light of the recent increase in tensions in the South Caucasus, the United States will continue to strongly support efforts by Armenia and Azerbaijan to resolve outstanding issues through direct dialogue, with the aim of achieving a dignified and enduring peace. We reiterate that any peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan must protect the rights and security of the residents of Nagorno-Karabakh. We also encourage dialogue between Baku and residents of Nagorno-Karabakh."

The statement concludes:  "The United States further reaffirms the only way forward is peace, dialogue, and the normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan on the basis of mutual respect for each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity."

Alex Raufoglu