U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, yesterday by telephone, discussed recent positive momentum and future concrete steps on the path to peace in the South Caucasus, including border delimitation and demarcation, opening transport and communication links, and the release of the remaining Armenian detainees.

According to U.S. State Department Spokesperson Ned Price, Blinken reiterated the United States stands ready to help by engaging bilaterally and with like-minded partners, including through its role as an OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair, to help the Armenia and Azerbaijan find a long-term comprehensive peace.  

Blinken also highlighted the importance of increased respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms and recognized the important role Azerbaijan continues to play in European energy security.