U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, by telephone on November 27, discussed the prospects for peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Blinken’s office issued the following statement on what the two discussed.

“The Secretary welcomed President Aliyev’s commitment to conclude a durable and dignified peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia.  The Secretary recognized the suffering that this long-standing conflict has caused Azerbaijanis and Armenians alike and underscored the benefits that peace would bring to everyone in the region.  The Secretary discussed our enduring relations with Azerbaijan, noted recent points of concern in the relationship and also spoke about opportunities to strengthen cooperation, especially around the peace process, and the importance of high-level engagement.”