Aliyev, Blinken discuss situation around Azerbaijani-Armenian peace treaty

BAKU. July 31 (Interfax) - United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken has made a phone call to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, the Azerbaijani presidential press service said.

The parties discussed talks on the peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia and the situation in the region in the phone call.

"Antony Blinken expressed the continued support of the United States for the negotiations on the peace treaty between Azerbaijan and Armenia, touched upon the importance of passage through the Lachin state border checkpoint and other alternative routes, and the significance of maintaining positive dynamics in the negotiations," the statement said.

For his part, Aliyev accused the Armenian side of staging a military provocation at the Lachin border checkpoint, shooting at Azerbaijani border guards, attempted smuggling and unauthorized sending of trucks to Azerbaijan.

Despite the fact that the Azerbaijani side put forward a proposal to use the Aghdam-Khankendi road to meet the needs of Armenian residents that was supported by the European Union and the International Committee of the Red Cross, Armenia opposed all the proposals, Aliyev said.

The president reiterated that the Azerbaijani side is determined to reintegrate the Armenian residents, the first meeting was held in Khojaly for this purpose, and Azerbaijan's proposal was presented for the second meeting.

During the phone conversation, the parties exchanged views on other issues of mutual interest, as well.