At a daily briefing on August 17, Ned Price, the representative of the US State Department, said that Washington sees opportunities for a long-term and comprehensive peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan and is trying to do everything possible for this. He recalled that State Secretary Antony Blinken had recently contacted the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia.
"We express our deep concern about the recent battles in and around Nagorno-Karabakh, including the resulting losses and human casualties. We call on the parties to take immediate steps to de-escalate and avoid further escalation. Noting the recent increase in tension, we emphasize the need for a comprehensive and sustainable settlement of all remaining issues related to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict or arising from it through negotiations. So, we will remain committed to working with the parties, even as we see an escalation of tensions that has resulted in some violence. We will continue our efforts to help countries find lasting, comprehensive peace, bilaterally, as well as with our like-minded partners in the European Union and as co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group," Price said.
"Despite the setbacks, we still see opportunities and have always understood that this will not be a quick process. We are working to do everything we can to facilitate a long-term, comprehensive peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan," Ned Price concluded.
As previously reported by Caucasus Watch, Ned Price called on the parties to immediately take necessary steps to reduce tensions and avoid further escalation of military operations. He added that the increase in tension overshadows all the work done in the direction of resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, including the negotiation process.
On the evening of August 3, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry reported that members of Armenian armed formations in Karabakh, where the Russian peacekeeping contingent is temporarily deployed, grossly violated the provisions of the Statement of November 10, 2020, and committed a terrorist and sabotage act against the Azerbaijan Army Units on August 3. The Azerbaijani Defense Ministry stated that as a result of the “Revenge” retaliatory operation conducted by the Azerbaijan Army Units, the Girkhgiz high ground, including Saribaba, and several advantageous high grounds along the Karabakh range of the Lesser Caucasus Mountains were taken under control. Currently, Azerbaijan Army Units are carrying out engineering work on the establishment of new positions and laying supply roads on advantageous frontiers.
