U.S. calls on Azerbaijan and Armenia to disengage military forces

YEREVAN, September 16, /ARKA/. The United States welcomes continued adherence to the ceasefire by Azerbaijan and Armenia, US Department of State spokesman Ned Price said at a press briefing on Thursday.

'When it comes to Armenia and Azerbaijan, we welcome continued adherence to the ceasefire. We’re continuing to urge the parties to engage in the peace process. We urge that a cessation of hostilities be maintained, and we urge the disengagement of military forces and work to resolve all outstanding issues between Armenia and Azerbaijan through peaceful negotiations,' Price said.

According to him, use of force is never an acceptable path, 'and we are glad that the continued engagement at high levels in Armenia and Azerbaijan has helped the sides reach a ceasefire. We continue to engage and encourage the work needed to reach a lasting peace. Again, there can be no military solution to this'.

Price recalled that Ambassador Philip Reeker, U.S. senior advisor and co-chair in the OSCE Minsk Group, has been in the region and met with Armenian and Azerbaijani leadership, while Assistant Secretary Donfried has been in contact with her foreign minister counterparts in the region.

'The Secretary, of course, has had an opportunity a couple days ago now to speak to both leaders. I would expect that he will have an opportunity to speak to the leaders again. He has been personally focused on this and will remain engaged going forward,' Price said.

'We are pleased to see that the cessation of hostilities has continued to stick, and Ambassador Reeker he’ll continue to meet with the OSCE and our like-minded partners in Vienna to further this,' he said.-0-.