U.S. Announces Philip Reeker's Departure from Position

American diplomat Philip Reeker is leaving his position as the senior advisor on Caucasus negotiations at the U.S. Department of State. The information was provided by State Department spokesperson Ned Price during a press briefing.

“Today we announce the departure of Ambassador Philip Reeker from the position of senior advisor on Caucasus negotiations effective January 5. For over 30 years, Ambassador Reeker has loyally served the U.S. Department of State and the American people, including as the Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs and Chargé d'Affaires at our embassy in London,” Price noted.

According to him, Reeker’s work as the senior advisor on Caucasus negotiations has accelerated cooperation and helped build a process for establishing peace in a region as volatile as the South Caucasus.

“His contribution underscores the importance for the United States of providing assistance to negotiations for a stable peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan,” the State Department spokesperson emphasized.

He highlighted that Reeker’s departure in no way alters the United States’ commitment to ensuring a secure, stable, democratic, prosperous, and peaceful future in the South Caucasus.

“The United States continues to collaborate with like-minded partners on a bilateral basis (such as the European Union) and through international organizations (such as the OSCE) to promote direct dialogue between Azerbaijan and Armenia and to find solutions to all unresolved issues related to or arising from the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict,” Price assured.

On behalf of the State Department, Price thanked Reeker for his service and wished him all the best in his future career.

It is noteworthy that U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken appointed Ambassador Philip Reeker as senior advisor on Caucasus negotiations in late August 2022. Reeker was also expected to perform the duties of the American co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group. During his time in that role, Reeker visited the region as a mediator to establish dialogue between Yerevan and Baku.