U.S. Department of State to continue to make clear to both Armenia and Azerbaijan that escalation is in no one`s interest - rep
ArmInfo.The U.S. Department of State cautions and will continue to caution against escalating rhetoric or hostilities along the border, Matthew Miller, Spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State, told a briefing.
"So we saw the statement from the Government of Azerbaijan over the weekend. I would note that the EU monitoring mission said yesterday that the Armenia-Azerbaijan border was calm and quiet, with no unusual military troop or artillery movements, despite those statements. We caution and will continue to caution against escalating rhetoric or hostilities along the border. We continue to encourage the creation of conditions for a just and dignified peace in the region, where the rights of all are respected. And as you've heard me say from this podium many times, the only way to ensure a sustainable peace is at the negotiating table. So we will continue to make clear to both Armenia and Azerbaijan that escalation is in no one's interest. I don't have any diplomatic conversations to preview," he said.
As to whether Azerbaijan has been invited to the meeting that will happen this week, Mr Miller said:
"This meeting, remember, is about Armenia's reforms and its democracy, economy, and resilience. The peace process is not the focus of this meeting; it's a meeting between the U.S., EU, and Armenia to discuss economic diversification, humanitarian assistance, support for refugees, and supporting Armenia's political reforms in areas such as democracy and the rule of law. It is not a regionally focused meeting."