U.S. sees Baku-Yerevan dialogue as key factor for reaching lasting peace - State Dept

WASHINGTON. May 2 (Interfax) - Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov have arrived in the United States to discuss a peace agreement, and as the party hosting the negotiations, Washington expects to facilitate a settlement of the conflict between the two countries, U.S. Department of State Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel said.

"The U.S. is pleased to be hosting Foreign Minister Mirzoyan of Armenia and Foreign Minister Bayramov of Azerbaijan to facilitate negotiations this week," Patel said at a press briefing.

The U.S. believes that "direct dialogue is key to resolving issues and reaching a lasting peace," he said.

Washington believes that Armenia and Azerbaijan are capable of reaching peace, he said.

"We believe that peace is possible between these two countries, and we are glad to be welcoming them," he said.

The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said on Monday that Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov had departed for a working visit to the U.S. at Secretary of State Antony Blinken's invitation for "negotiations on a draft peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia."

The Armenian Foreign Ministry's press service said earlier on Monday that Mirzoyan, Bayramov, and Blinken met in Washington. "The parties discussed the security situation in the region, as well as the settlement process of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan," it said.