U.S. Secretary of State brought together the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan as Washington moves to prevent further border clashes and maintain a ceasefire between these countries following the largest flare-up of hostilities in more than two years.

Secretary Blinken had delegations led by Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov siting on his opposite sides at a hotel in New York, discussing the “path to a durable peace that resolves the differences”.

“We’re encouraged by the fact that the fighting has ceased and there have not been any additional military actions over the last – the last few days.

In my latest calls with both Prime Minister Pashinyan and President Aliyev, both leaders told me that they are ready for peace. Strong, sustained diplomatic engagement is the best path for everyone. There is no military solution to the differences between Armenia and Azerbaijan. But there is, I think, a path to a durable peace that resolves the differences through diplomacy. The US is prepared to do whatever it can to support these efforts. And I’m grateful to both of my colleagues for being here today to pursue this conversation”, - said U.S. Secretary of State.