ArmInfo.The US calls on Armenia and Azerbaijan to return to substantive negotiations as soon as possible within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group co- chairmanship to achieve a long-term political settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Philip Reeker, acting US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, who is on an official visit to Baku, said this in conversation with journalists.
In particular, he noted that the United States is extremely concerned about the latest processes along the international border of Armenia and Azerbaijan, including "the detention (capture - ed. note) of 6 Armenian servicemen by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces" and "the death of two journalists as a result of a mine explosion" (the tragedy took place on the territory of controlled by Azerbaijan and Armenia is not guilty in that- ed. note).
"The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan has claimed many lives, and we are concerned that the situation on the border may worsen," he said.
In this regard, acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of State of the United States, called on the parties to speed up the process of resolving this conflict, noting that the United States considers any step on the undefined border of Armenia and Azerbaijan provocative.
"We reject the use of force in the demarcation of borders and call on the parties to return to their original positions, to stop military strengthening of the non-demarcated border and the laying of mines," he stressed.