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US demonstrated both in word and in deed the nature of its relationship with Armenia and Azerbaijan - Ned Price

07 March 2023 11:32 (UTC +04:00)

"We’re following reports of a shooting incident on March 5th inside Karabakh which killed five individuals," U.S. Department spokesman Ned Price said during a briefing held today, APA reports.

"We offer our condolences to the families of those injured and killed. There can be no military solution to the conflict, and the use of force to resolve disputes is never acceptable. The only way to sustain peace is at the negotiating table and – and the use of force undermines negotiations. Senior Advisor for Caucasus Negotiations Lou Bono is in the region to stress the only way forward is through direct dialogue and diplomacy. And as the Secretary has emphasized, the United States is committed to Armenia-Azerbaijan peace negotiations.

The implication – the clearest implication for us is the imperative of continued direct dialogue and discussion between the parties themselves. This is imperative on the part of the parties. We have played the role of partner to both countries, facilitating on a trilateral basis engagement between the foreign ministers and between the – at the leader level as well. We are prepared – whether bilaterally, trilaterally, or multilaterally – to continue to be a partner in the furtherance of efforts to secure a lasting peace, said Ned Price.

U.S. Department spokesman noted that the US is a partner to the two countries: "I think we have demonstrated both in word and in deed the nature of our relationship with the two countries, our ability to bring the two countries together, our willingness and readiness to help bring about additional progress in relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan."

"We are not doing this as a means by which to compete with Moscow. We are doing this in an effort to bring about the settlement and resolution of a longstanding dispute between these two countries, and unfortunately, a dispute that has consistently taken lives, just as it did on March 5th. Our interest here is in peace and security. It’s in the interests of the people of Armenia and Azerbaijan as well," said Ned Price.