Blinken says U.S. supports efforts to reach peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan - State Dept

WASHINGTON. Nov 8 (Interfax) - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said at a meeting with Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov that Washington supports the dialogue between these two countries aimed at securing a lasting peace, the U.S. Department of State said.

"And I'd simply say that the United States, as a friend to both Armenia and Azerbaijan, is committed to doing everything that we can to support you in this effort; to walk the path to a durable peace with you, to help in any way that we can," Blinken said.

Washington is observing both countries' real steps "to put the past behind and to work toward a durable peace," he said.

Blinken also said that he "applauds" the governments of Armenia and Azerbaijan "for the courage and determination that you're showing to get to that destination."

The Armenian Foreign Ministry's press service, in turn, said that the foreign ministers "exchanged opinions on elements of a possible peace treaty."

The sides noted that "there is a number of problems that have yet to be resolved" and reaffirmed the commitments assumed by the Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders at their meetings in Prague on October 6 and in Sochi on October 31.

"The foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan agreed to expedite their negotiations and to hold another meeting in the coming weeks," the Armenian Foreign Ministry said.