President Joe Biden on Tuesday told Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in a letter that the United States is prepared to undertake “bold initiatives” to pave the way for peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
In a similar letter on Monday, Biden urged President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan to demonstrate will and sign a peace treaty in the coming months.
“I am pleased to see that your nation and Azerbaijan have made steady progress towards finalizing a peace agreement that would normalize relations between your two countries. I want to assure you that the United States stands ready to support a durable and dignified peace agreement that would finally put to rest centuries of conflict,” Biden said in his letter to Pashinyan.
“A peace agreement that safeguards Armenia’s unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity would not only provide security and stability for the Armenian people. It would transform the entire South Caucasus region. As you know, finalizing the remaining articles of the peace agreement will require persistence, ingenuity, and compromise. But putting patriotism above politics, you have courageously and consistently chosen the path of peace – and I encourage you to finalize an agreement this year,” the U.S. president added.
“As you do, my administration is prepared to take bold initiatives that would help pave the way for peace. I have asked my Senior Director for Europe, Michael Carpenter to brief you on some of the steps we would be willing to take and get your feedback on discussions with Azerbaijan. As we were reminded last month at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, now is the moment to recommit to the United Nations Charter and its fundamental principles of peace. A brighter future is within reach, and I look forward to working with you to seize it,” Biden explained.
The letter was delivered to Pashinyan by Carpenter, who underscored the U.S.’s readiness to assist in the peace process.
According to the prime minister’s press service, Pashinyan reaffirmed Armenia’s readiness to sign the peace treaty based on the articles already agreed upon and to continue further discussions.
Pashinyan also expressed his belief that signing the treaty would promote mutual trust and provide a positive impetus for discussions and the achievement of agreements on other issues.
Carpenter emphasized that the United States welcomes Armenia’s determination and efforts to promote peace and stability.
“He also noted the importance of the border delimitation process and the signing of the regulations, highlighting the readiness of the United States to continue supporting peace and stability in the region,” Pashinyan’s press service said.
Carpenter also reaffirmed the U.S.’s support for Armenia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The U.S. official also met with Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan, whose office reported that issues on the Armenia-U.S. bilateral agenda were discussed, including current programs aimed at the development of strategic partnership were discussed.
“Armenia is interested in continuing to develop relations with the U.S. in areas of mutual interest, building the cooperation on common values, already recorded achievements, and exploring also additional opportunities for sectoral engagement,” Mirzoyan reportedly told Carpenter.
The two also focused a portion of their conversation on the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process, with Mirzoyan reaffirming Yerevan’s interest in “achieving a lasting peace in the region.”
