Thursday, May 19 2022 15:24

ArmInfo. The key to a peaceful, democratic, and prosperous future in the South Caucasus region is a negotiated, comprehensive, and sustainable settlement of all  remaining issues related to or resulting from the Nagorno-Karabakh  conflict, Ambassador of the United States of America to Armenia Lynne  Tracy said in an exclusive interview to ARMENPRESS, on April 29, on  the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of  Armenia-US diplomatic relations.  

"Self-determination of peoples is a key, though not the only,  internationally recognized principle to achieve this goal, and, in  the context of a comprehensive settlement of the conflict, the United  States, as a co-chair country of the OSCE Minsk Group, recognizes the  role of the population of Nagorno-Karabakh in deciding its future,"  she stated. 

"Indeed, it is U.S. policy that the status of Nagorno-Karabakh  remains to be resolved. We continue to believe that the issues that  led to the fighting in 2020 and are the root of the lasting tensions  need to be addressed through negotiation and through a comprehensive  settlement, according to internationally recognized principles,  including territorial integrity, self-determination of peoples, and  the non-use of force.  

"We encourage further peace negotiations and stand ready to engage  bilaterally and with like-minded partners, including through our role  as an OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair," Ambassador Tracy said.  The United  States remains committed to promoting a peaceful, democratic, and  prosperous future for the South Caucasus region.  

"This includes applying existing mechanisms for direct communication  to find comprehensive solutions to all outstanding issues, and to  normalize their relations through the conclusion of a comprehensive  peace agreement. The United States remains ready to assist Armenia  and Azerbaijan with these efforts, including in our capacity as a  Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group to help the countries find a  long-term comprehensive peace," she said.  

Actions, such as the recent gas disruptions and Azerbaijan's troop  movements across the line of contact, are a cause for concern.

"In his phone call with Prime Minister Pashinyan on April 5, U.S.   Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken underscored the importance of  avoiding further escalation in the region. Armenia and Azerbaijan  need to use direct communications channels to deescalate," Ms Tracy  said.  

She also calls for the release of all prisoners as well as increased  efforts to obtain information about the fate of missing service  members, including from the 1990s, noting the pain of families who do  not know their loved ones' whereabouts or fate.