Aliyev views meeting between Azerbaijani, Armenian FMs in Tbilisi as first step toward peace talks

BAKU. July 26 (Interfax) - Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has said he views the meeting between the Azerbaijani and Armenian foreign ministers in Tbilisi on July 16 as a first step toward launching negotiations on a peace treaty between the two nations.

Aliyev voiced this opinion in a telephone call with United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday.

"On July 25, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken made a phone call to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev. Noting that the United States supports the normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Secretary of State Antony Blinken hailed the meeting and direct dialogue between the foreign ministers of the two countries in Tbilisi," the Azerbaijani presidential press service said.

Aliyev "described the meeting of the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia held in Tbilisi as the first step towards starting negotiations on a peace treaty between the two countries," it said.

Aliyev said Azerbaijan has already put together its commission on preparing a peace treaty and "expects the same step to be taken by Armenia," it said.

"Blinken also pointed out that the United States is ready for the opening of transport connections and communications between Armenia and Azerbaijan, as well as to provide technical support in this regard," it said.

Aliyev and Blinken "stressed the importance of the recently signed Memorandum of Understanding in the field of energy between Azerbaijan and the European Commission," under which Azerbaijan should double the amount of natural gas exported to the EU by 2027.

The same day, Blinken spoke on the phone with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

The Armenian government press service said Pashinyan and Blinken discussed aspects of peace talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Armenian-Turkish relations, and regional security and stability.