The United States on Friday signaled its support for Armenia’s recent arms acquisitions from France, telling reporters that “every state has the right to self-defense.”
The statements were made by U.S. Assistant Secretary of State James O’Brien, who is visiting Baku and addressed Azerbaijani officials’ concerns about the recent announcements made by Yerevan and Paris.
“We see that Azerbaijan also is working in this direction,” O’Brien said, referring to Baku’s own buttressing of its military capabilities.
“We have heard the reports about Armenia buying weapons from France. This is also an indication that there is little trust between the parties, which is understandable given the 30-year conflict,” O’Brien added.
He noted that the parties are working towards peace and confidence-building measures. O’Brien also cited Armenia’s support for Baku in hosting the upcoming United Nations climate summit, known as COP29, later this year. mentioned that Armenia’s supporting Azerbaijan’s hosting of COP29, the release of Armenian detainees, and the border delimitation process were positive steps, and he appreciated these steps.
After holding talks with President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan and his foreign minister, Jeyhun Bayramov, O’Brien wrote on the X social media platform that he and Aliyev had a “serious discussion on a range of issues.”
“The U.S. wants a strong relationship with Azerbaijan. We welcome bold leadership to complete a peace agreement with Armenia without delay,” O’Brien said.
“We are very clear with President Aliyev that this is a time to make peace,” O’Brien told the House Foreign Affairs Committee on Thursday, ahead of his visit to Baku.
In Baku, O’Brien emphasized that the U.S. sees a real opportunity for peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
He added that “resolving the conflict comprehensively would be beneficial for the region as a whole, as well as will have economic benefits.”