ArmInfo. Acting US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Philip Reeker held a meeting at the Armenian Foreign Ministry on June 9, reported the press service of the republic's foreign ministry.
During the meeting, high-ranking officials of the Armenian and US foreign ministries discussed a wide range of issues of mutual interest. Particular attention was paid to the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the immediate return of Armenian prisoners of war and civilians in the status of hostages, as well as the situation created as a result of the penetration of the Azerbaijani armed forces into the sovereign territory of Armenia.
Both sides confirmed the continuation of the key role of the format of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs in the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The importance was attached to the solution of the arisen humanitarian issues and the unhindered access of international humanitarian aid to Artsakh. The American side stressed the need to ease tensions on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, reaffirming the position, enshrined in the statement of the US State Department on May 27, that the Azerbaijani armed forces should withdraw to their positions as of May 11.
They also exchanged views on the agenda for protecting human rights and preventing crimes against humanity. The importance of recognizing the Armenian Genocide as an effective way to prevent similar crimes in the future was emphasized.
Further work carried out within the framework of the strategic dialogue between Armenia and the United States was also discussed.