Will the Foreign Ministers' Negotiations Last Several Days?

U.S. State Department Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel has stated that the U.S. believes peace is possible between Armenia and Azerbaijan. “We believe that direct dialogue is key here through diplomatic means. And you are right; this is something the Secretary has been deeply engaged in. He has had the opportunity to convene trilateral meetings and also to talk with the foreign ministers and leaders of both countries. And we will continue to engage on this issue,” Patel said.

He remarked that he does not intend to preempt the process, and that the two countries need to discuss their efforts. When asked whether it is true that the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan might stay in Washington longer for more meetings in the coming days, he said, “I’ll let the two ministers speak to their own schedules. I don’t have anything to offer or update on that.”

Regarding the placement of a checkpoint in the Lachin corridor, he stated, “We have not analyzed our words about the need for the free flow of traffic, people, and trade through the Lachin corridor. That remains, and it is something we will continue to raise directly with our partners.”